ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on religion and traces how different socioeconomic doctrines of religious institutions left their imprint on post-World War WII ideologies and institutions. The ideational approach relies on the power of ideology to serve as the blueprint for socioeconomic actions and institution building. A explanatory framework for the euro crisis is based on ideas. The ideational turn in comparative political economy has demonstrated the power of economic ideas in politics. The concept of cultural political economy has so far only appeared on the fringes of debates on comparative political economy. Social Catholics also had the upper hand in Germany, but only as long as their subculture and political connections remained strong. The cultural and ethical rooting of German ordoliberalism and the reliance of German politicians on the concept helps German politicians approach the crisis as a morality tale of northern saints and southern sinners.
