AO1 & AO2

• Weber argues that both structural and action theories are important for a full understanding of human behaviour. It highlights the importance of human interaction in response to structural theories which have ignored free will.

  He says sociological explanations should involve two levels:

  1. Level of cause: objective societal factors which shape peoples behaviour.
  2. Level of meaning: The subjective meaning that people attach to their actions.
• Social Action theory can be applied to Weber's work on Calvinism, which he argues led to the spirit of Capitalism. How?

  1. Level of cause: Structural change was the new belief system of Calvinism, which was caused by the Protestant Reformation. This Promoted a strong work ethic.
  2. Level of meaning: Work took on a religious meaning for Calvinists as a calling by God to glorify him through finding their vocation and working harder.
  3. Result: Spirit of Capitalism. They accumulated wealth as a result, which they did not spend but reinvested. As a result, they became the first Capitalists.
• Weber's work on Calvinism may be used to critique Marxism.

  Marx argued that Capitalism evolved because the structure of the feudal system failed.

  Weber argues that Capitalism emerged due to a combination of structure AND action: The protestant reformation along with the meaning that Calvinists gave to their work.
• Weber argues there are four different kinds of action. What are these?

  1. Instrumentally Rational Action: Involves the actor calculating the most efficient means of achieving a given goal. E.g. capitalists may calculate that the most efficient way to maximise profit is to pay low wages.
  2. Value Rational Action: Action towards a goal which the actor deems desirable.
  3. Traditional Action: Involves routine/ habitual actions. E.g. a student putting on school uniform every morning.
  4. Affectual Action: Action that expresses how an individual feels. E.g. Weeping out of grief or violence out of anger.
• Weber argues that for true cause of action to be understood, a sociologist must gain verstehen, which is empathetic understanding.

  Qualitative methods would be best to achieve this, such as unstructured interviews, covert participant observation or by personal/ private documents like diaries or letters.