Weber: religion as a force for change

• Who is the sociologist associated with the study of religion as a force for change?

  Max Weber
• What is the title of Max Weber's famous study related to religion and capitalism?


  The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
• According to Weber, which religious beliefs helped bring about modern capitalism?


  Calvinism
• In which centuries did Weber argue that modern capitalism emerged in Northern Europe?


  16th and 17th centuries
• How does Weber differentiate modern capitalism from past forms of capitalism?


  Modern capitalism is based on the systematic, efficient, rational pursuit of profit for its own sake.
• What term does Weber use to describe the unique spirit of modern capitalism?

  The spirit of capitalism
• What does Weber mean by "elective affinity" in relation to Calvinism and capitalism?


  It refers to the unconscious similarity between Calvinist beliefs and the spirit of capitalism.
• What are the distinctive beliefs of Calvinism according to Weber?


  • Predestination: God predetermined who would be saved.
  • Divine transcendence: God is incomparably greater than any mortal.
• What is the concept of predestination in Calvinism?


  It is the belief that God has predetermined which souls will be saved and which will not.
• How does Calvinism differ from Catholicism regarding salvation?


  Calvinism believes individuals cannot change their predestined fate, unlike Catholicism which allows for deeds to influence salvation.
• What does Weber argue about the relationship between Calvinism and the emergence of modern capitalism?


  He argues that Calvinism was one of the causes of modern capitalism, not the sole cause.
• What economic factors does Weber suggest were necessary for the emergence of modern capitalism?


  Natural resources, trade, a money economy, towns and cities, and a system of law.
• Why does Weber argue that capitalism did not develop in ancient China and India?


  Because they lacked a religious belief system like Calvinism that would spur its development.
• How does Hinduism compare to Calvinism in terms of its orientation towards the material world?


  Hinduism is ascetic and directs followers away from the material world, unlike Calvinism which combines asceticism with a this-worldly orientation.
• What are the criticisms of Weber's argument regarding capitalism and Calvinism?


  • Marxists argue Weber overestimates ideas and underestimates economic factors.
  • Kautsky claims capitalism preceded Calvinism.
  • Tawney argues technological change, not religion, caused capitalism.
• How does Weber's view of social change differ from Marx's view?


  Weber believes that cultural factors, like religious beliefs, are necessary alongside material factors for capitalism to emerge, while Marx emphasizes material factors alone.
• What is one criticism of Weber's argument regarding the development of capitalism in Scotland?


  Scotland had a large Calvinist population but was slow to develop capitalism due to a lack of investment capital and skilled labor.
• How do Weberians respond to the criticism that Calvinists were not the only successful capitalists?

  They argue that other religious minorities were excluded but did not become successful capitalists like the Calvinists.
• What are the key factors that Weber identifies as necessary for capitalism to emerge?


  • Cultural factors: beliefs and values (e.g., Calvinism)
  • Material factors: natural resources, trade, money economy, towns, legal systems
• How does Weber's argument about capitalism challenge traditional Marxist views?


  Weber's argument incorporates cultural factors as essential for capitalism, contrasting with Marx's focus on material conditions alone.