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Max webers theory on capitalism
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Analysis of Max Weber's Theory of Capitalism
Max Weber’s original theory on the rise of Capitalism in Western Europe has been an often studied theory. In its relationship to Protestantism, specifically Calvinism, Weber’s theory has been in scholarly debate since it’s release in 1904. “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” puts forth not capitalism as an institute, but as the precursor to the historical origins of capitalism. Weber’s attempts to use statistical data, as well as church doctrine to prove his theory, has been the foundation for the main arena of debate amongst his peers.
Weber, although touching on other religions and countries, specifically focuses on the Reformation and its correlation to the dominance of capitalism in Western civilizations. He centers his work on the thesis ‘that the chances of overcoming traditionalism are greatest on account of the religious upbringing’, thus ‘it is worthwhile to ask how this connection of adaptability to capitalism with religious factors occurred in the early days of capitalism(1).’ This break with tradition could be attributed to the ‘calling’ as depicted in the Protestant faith. Weber believes Protestants saw the ‘calling’ as finally sanctifying the earning of a profit and as a sign of salvation. In this, he saw a breaking of the ‘backward-sloping supply curve’ for labor by instilling a new work ethic and the bringing forth of capitalistic values.
Amintore Fanfani in his critical work “Catholicism, Protestantism, and Capitalism” disagrees with Weber on the role Protestantism played in the development of capitalism. He argues that “Europe was acquainted with capitalism before the Protestant revolt” and thus “…we have ruled out that Protesta...
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...hat inconsistent, there will always be an idea before a movement, and until one man can be proven to be the founder of capitalism Weber’s thesis still stands.
Bibliography
(1)Anderson, Hughes, and Sharrock: Classic Disputes in Sociology. London: Unwin and Hyman, 1987.
(2)Green,Robert W.Protestantism and Capitalism: The Weber Thesis and Its Critiques. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1959.
(3)Dickson, Tony and McLachlan, ”In Search of ‘The Spirit of Capitalism’: Weber’s Misinterpretation of Franklin,” Sociology, Vol.23, No.1 (81-89).
(4)Weber, Max: General Economic History. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction, Inc., 1979.
(5)Weber, Max: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1958.
(6)Algazi, Gadi: Max Weber on Market Relations, Freedom and Coercion. Dept. of History, Tel Aviv University: WWW.Criticism.Com.
McFague, Sallie. "New House Rules: Christianity, Economics, and Planetary Living."Subverting Greed: Religious Perspectives on the Global Economy. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2002. 125-40. Print.
Even before the beginning of the twentieth century, the debate between socialists and capitalists has raged. In The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair, he portrays capitalism as the cause of all evils in society. Sinclair shows the horrors of capitalism. In The Gospel of Wealth, by Andrew Carnegie, he portrays capitalism as a system of opportunity. However, both Carnegie and Sinclair had something to gain from their writings; both men had an agenda. Capitalism and socialism both have advantages and pitfalls; when capitalism is adopted using certain socialist ideals, a truly prosperous society exists.
Moreover, Weber argues that this spirit of capitalism was not a result of technological advances and/or the division of labor as many believe, it is from religious beliefs. But not just any religious belief, due to business leaders being frequently Protestant, Weber theorizes that protestantism enabled western rational capitalism. He utilizes empirical research by first going back to the beginning of protestantism with Martin Luther and his belief of the calling. Luther 's frustration with the corruption of Catholicism caused him to separate from it. As a Catholic, when you do something bad you confess to the priests and are cleansed. Thus, one can keep repeating sinful acts as long as they repent. Another problem that
The major weaknesses of his book is the absence of contextual analysis. Since the principles he presents are fundamental for Protestantism, it could be necessaire to show in what context these principle were developed. The contextual analysis could help to understand the motivation of the leader of protestant movement and could allow to make a reel analysis of the impact of Protestantism ethic on the spirit of capitalism. Without the knowledge of the context it can be subjective to conclude that Protestantism influenced the capitalism. For example, in the United States, the spirit of self-confidence was necessary for the survival of the first immigrants. Since, they had not any protection, in order to survive, they should have a self-confidence. When the context in which each principle were developed are understanding, it become easy to appreciate their
In The Victory of Reason by Rodney Stark, he argues that spread and complete acceptance of capitalism as we know it is not only attributed to the Europeans but to the rise of Christianity. In his book, he hopes to explain why capitalism only developed in Europe and not in Asia or Islamic countries. This is arguably attributed to the fact that European Christians “embraced reason and logic as the primary guide to religious truth” (x).
A Discussion and Analysis Of some of his Contributions As Well as their Social, Political and Economic Impacts Since the Thirteen Colonies first united, the United States has had one of the strongest economies in the world. Over the years, many theorists have had varying opinions concerning the reason for this nation's strong economic standing. One reason that has often been overlooked is that a great many of this nation's workers have been influenced by the Protestant work ethic. The philosophy behind this work ethic has driven many workers to attain as much as possible at their jobs during their lifetimes. If one man were to be given credit for the development of the Protestant work ethic it would have to be Martin Luther. In the course of the next several pages this researcher will examine the ethic that has had such a great impact on the United State's economy and on the economies of other nations. It has been suggested by such writers as Weber and Smith that the Protestant work ethic first developed around the word "calling." Basically, this term has a religious connotation which is a task set by God. However, gradually this term was expanded to the point where it covered many of man's activities. During the Protestant Reformation, the term "calling" started to take on a new meaning. Fulfilling one's duty in worldly affairs became a task of extreme importance. gradually, fulfilling one's duty was not only important but it became the moral obligation of every individual (the highest form of moral activity). Before the Reformation, the Catholic Church did not believe that everyday world activities had a religious significance. As a result of Luther these world activities were quite important in adhering to God's wishes. Rather than devote one's life to worshipping God through prayer, and instead of sacrificing all worldly goods to follow Christ, the Protestants believed that the task of every person is to fulfill (to the best of his/her ability) their tasks on earth. This unique conception of the word "calling" was developed by Luther during his first active decade as a reformer. At first he believed, like many other theologians, that everyday world activities were activities of the flesh. Although these activities were willed by God, they were nonetheless morally neutral. However, gradually Luther began to protest against ...
people. Work was done not for one’s own personal gain, but for the sake of god. Weber found that in areas where Calvinism was the highest is where capitalism rose first, and no other religion resulted in the rise of capitalism.
Williams, O. F. Catholic Social Teaching: A Communitarian Democratic Capitalism for the New World Order. Journal of Business Ethics, 1993.Vol.12, no.12 p. 919-923.
Benjamin Franklin is credited with the quotation: “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning”. Franklin’s notion of the evolution and continual growth relates to the economic concepts of classical sociologist Max Weber. Weber’s ideas of social theory and the evolution of the “spirit of modern capitalism” have in many circumstances improved society. This evolution has subsequently instilled values of success and achievement within individuals partaking in the capitalist system. Max Weber’s “spirit of capitalism” is still prevalent in post-modern society; however a desire for product and increased consumerism has skewed the “spirit” within the modern economy. Instances of disillusionment of the capitalist system have occurred throughout recent history however it still remains the dominant ideology within Canada. The broader Canadian society has accepted post modern capitalism as the norm, however this deviates from the original “spirit of capitalism”. In some cases however, distinct and isolated communities still ascribe to a traditionalist form of society and economic systems, greatly differing from both post modern capitalism and Weber’s “spirit of modern capitalism” ethos.
...hown to be a fundamental socioeconomic transformation. My paper has shown many aspects of the market society, by using a number of theorists’ concepts. I focused on the characteristics of a market society, as well as why this transformation from traditional society was so significant. I also discussed the changes that have taken place in the workplace and the impact on the workers, which these material conditions became apparent throughout time. Lastly, I explained Weber’s idea of “economic rationality” and the worldview of people in a market society, to show how workers rationalized the work they put into the production and distribution of material goods. Generally, this paper’s purpose was to show how the market society has established itself over time, and how both material and ideological conditions interacted and changed the ways we view market society today.
Max Weber’s work The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is arguably one of the most important works in all of sociology and social theory, both classical and modern. In the decades since its inception, this work has gone on to influence generations of social scientists with its analysis of the effect of Protestantism on the development of modern industrial capitalism. This work, examining such broad topics as religion, economics, and history, is not only an interesting and insightful look into the history of the development of capitalism, but a major work in laying a foundation for future works of social theory.
Gonzalez, Justo L. 1984. The early church to the dawn of the Reformation. San Francisco: Harper & Row.
[iii] Posnack, Ross. "'A New World, Material without Being Real': Fitzgerald's Critique of Capitalism in The Great Gatsby." P. 202.
Lynn Harsh (Nov. 2002). ‘Capitalism – A Deal with the Devil?’. Retrieved on Mar. 23 from:
Once capitalism came about, it was like a machine that you were being pulled into without an alternative option. Currently, whether we agree or disagree, for example if you want to survive you need to have a job and you need to make money. Weber believed that social actions were becoming based on efficiency instead of the old types of social actions, which were based on lineage or kinship. Behavior had become dominated by goal-oriented rationality and less by tradition and values. According to Web...