How did Humanism during the Renaissance Impact Economic Growth in Italy?

This paper explores the significance of Humanism - a philosophy that emphasises human efforts, skills and development often over religious or supernatural beliefs - and its effect on countries and their economies. This paper focuses on the Renaissance era in Italy when Humanism emerged. The paper determines that Humanism was a factor in the development of the country itself; economically, socially and politically. However; when viewed from a greater lens, it is understood that Humanism did not have a significant impact on the expected state of the country’s economy compared to other countries of the same period. These countries were not as greatly influenced by Humanism during the time and had economic states similar to Italy’s if not better. This paper also discusses the various other economic factors that Humanism contributed to or assisted in such as employment of supply side policies, increases in production, GDP per capita and literacy rate: all factors that further led to economic growth.