PROTESTANT ETHIC AND SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM (KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER)

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SOCIOLOGY UPSC – PAPER 1 – Sociological Thinkers : Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

 

  • The book “Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism” 1904 is widely known for its use of scientific methods in Sociology.
  • It shows his idea of causal pluralism or probabilism.
  • He factored in political, economic and religious factors in the rise of capitalism.
  • Weber put more emphasis on ideas leading to an economic system.
  • His main question was ‘Is there any correlation between protestantism and capitalism’?
  • Weber developed ideal types of capitalism and protestant ethics.

CALVINISM OR PROTESTANT ETHICS

  • Weber gave ideal type of calvinism.
  • The doctrine of predestination – some people are chosen by God to enter into heaven and nobody can know whether one is chosen or not.
  • Worldly asceticism – strict self discipline with no enjoyment and more hard work for the glory of God.
  • All work is sacred.
  • No mediation of any priests can help us in knowing God.
  • Wealth has to be devoted to God and should not be spent on luxuries.


CAPITALISM

  • Weber gave ideal type of capitalism.
  • It is an economic system which is aimed at unlimited accumulation of profit.
  • It is organised rationally.
  • Time is money; work is for an end called profit.
  • Capitalism honours individualism, innovation and hard work.

 

HOW CALVINISM AND CAPITALISM CORRELATE ?

  • According to Weber,  Doctrine of Pre-destination results into uncertainty about the destiny of Protestant Calvinists resulting into anxiety.
  • This led to intense worldly activity as success in this was considered as being chosen one in that world.
  • Hard work and asceticism was seen as avenues used to overcome the fear of the uncertain.
  • Asceticism produced savings and much needed investment in the nascent capitalism.
    Working hard and making money both became religious and business ethic.


PLURALITY OF CAUSES

  • In this protestant theory, dual variables were expressed in the form of spirit and substance.
  • Spirit was provided by the protestant ethics.
  • Substance was already present in the form of new factory system, new techniques of accounting, newly invented tools and machines, democratic political system for stable governance, etc.


HISTORICAL COMPARATIVE STUDIES

  • In case of China, Confucius ethics did not permit the rise of capitalism as it thrusts upon collective harmony traditionalism and family obligations.
  • In India, ideas of Karma, Dharma and Punarjanma prevented rise of capitalism.
  • Jewish ethics had elements which could have promoted capitalism but certain historical factors scattered jews. So spirit was there, but the substance was absent.

 

CRITICISM

  • He concentrated on certain aspects of religion only and ignored the others, so his ideal type is erroneous.
  • Doctrine of calling was already present among the catholics and not particular to protestants.
  • Took selective elements out of Hinduism for his analysis. Calvinists equivalent of Chettiyars in Madras, etc was ignored.