Weber & Social Change

• • the focus of Weber's 'The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism' study was to advance the idea that religion was an engine for social change
  • he argued that some elements of the Calvinist protestant religion inadvertently catalysed the spread of capitalism
• • possessing large sums of money was inherently viewed as greedy, hence the generous donations many catholics offen donated to the Church as a display their devotion to God
  • however, with the emergence of Calvinism, John Calvin began to change the way that wealth was viewed by his followers
• What is the belief regarding human nature in Calvinism?

  Everyone is inherently born as sinners due to Adam & Eve's downfall.
• How does Calvinism view God's role in salvation?

  God elects those who are worthy of entering the kingdom of heaven.
• What does Calvinism say about God's power?

  No one can rival God's power or twist the fate that is His will.
• What is asceticism in the context of Calvinism?

  Asceticism is the concept of denying oneself physical pleasures to ensure total devotion to God.
• Why is a strong work ethic important in Calvinism?


  A strong work ethic alleviates the stress of salvation panic and pleases God.
• How do Calvinists view the act of generating profit?

  Generating profit and reinvesting into business was used as a means of pleasing God.
• What are the key beliefs of Calvinism regarding sin and salvation?

  • Everyone is born as sinners due to Adam & Eve's downfall.
  • God elects those worthy of entering heaven.
  • No one can rival God's power or will.
  • Asceticism reinforces and encourages the denial of physical pleasures.
  • A strong work ethic is vital to alleviate salvation panic and please God.
• the pursuit of profit

  • the hard work and asceticism served as a coping mechanism to pacify the masses in regards to their salvation panic, when followers become plagued with doubt that they have not attained salvation
  • this acquisition of wealth and reinvestment in one’s business is what Weber describes as modern capitalism
• Calvinist work ethic

  • idleness was shunned upon, as well as excessive sleep
  • they valued punctuality, profit, trade and modesty
• adherents of Calvinism believed that human merit plays no part in the possession of grace, as that would make God’s decrees subject to human influence. in essence, whether you were a part of the “elect“ is a matter that is predetermined by God
• asceticism is a philosophy of self-denial, the idea that christians should isolate themselves from luxuries, instead focussing on leading an austere life and salvation of the soul
• Criticisms

  • Parkin disputes that there are some places in which the belief of Calvinism was heavily practised without the emergence of capitalism, the clearest example would be Scotland, which did not experience economic prosperity even when Calvinism was rife
• Some critics argue that the Protestant Ethic thesis fails to take into account other factors that may have contributed to the rise of Capitalism. For instance, the Industrial Revolution brought about new technologies and innovations that facilitated the production of goods. These changes created opportunities for entrepreneurs to start businesses and generate profits
• The Protestant Ethic thesis has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence. It relies too much on historical accounts rather than statistical data. There is little proof that shows how the rise of Protestantism directly caused the growth of Capitalism. In fact, many countries where Calvinism grew as a practised belief did not experience economic prosperity at all
• Marxists however, believe that capitalism came prior to Calvinism, the rise of advancements in technology subsequently gave rise to capitalism, the bourgeoisie then adopted Calvinism as a means of legitimising and maintaining capitalism
• Weber’s theory is superficially similar to the rose-tinted, functionalist notion that capitalism is not viewed as dysfunctional and corrupting to society, it excuses the ruling-class ideology that controls us and keeps us in a state of false class consciousness
• followers belived that fulfillment of duty in worldly affairs was the highest degree of moral activity that one could attain
• capitalism is the pursuit of profit and forever renewed profit by means of continuous, rational and capitalistic enterprise