Economists have traditionally been leery at mentalités as a factor in long-term economic development. In the budding literature on the economic rise … - Joel Mokyr

As Hooykaas (1972, p. 101) argued, the pervasiveness of religion meant that for any idea to become socially acceptable, it made a huge difference whether it was resisted, tolerated, or sponsored by prevalent religious beliefs.

Hooykaas (1972, p. 100) writes that especially commercial and industrial cities were intellectually dynamic, far more so than sleepy university towns. These cities also tended to be more tolerant of different religions and multilingual. Modern research has found that especially cities involved in Atlantic trade were institutionally dynamic.

The physical and social environment is important in determining the actions of individuals, although it is not solely responsible for the outcome.