Author Topic: Protestantism - Responsible For Capitalism? Understanding the Weberian Thesis  (Read 1250 times)

Lorenzo

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Weber believed that a society is shaped by it religious thought, not vice-versa, as Marx believed. Drawing on this principle, he believed Protestantism to be responsible for the birth of Capitalism. In essence there are two peculiarities about Protestantism, especially within Calvinism, that reinforce each other and help to create a Capitalist mentality. Asceticism, when coupled with the idea of predestination, seems to encourage the saving of capital. If a man believes his destiny to be predetermined, yet believing himself also to be good, he will behave virtuously (that is, ascetically) in his yearning to confirm his eventual entrance into heaven.

This seems pretty straightforward yet it has nonetheless been met by opposition. An English scholar by the name of Richard Tawney contests the causal relationship between religion and economics. He points to empirical evidence revealing a Protestant repudiation of Capitalism over the course of history.

Which side do you agree with? Firstly, does religion shape society or society shape religion? Secondly, is the protestant ethic responsible for capitalism or are other, more important variables at play?

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benelynne

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This seems pretty straightforward yet it has nonetheless been met by opposition. An English scholar by the name of Richard Tawney contests the causal relationship between religion and economics. He points to empirical evidence revealing a Protestant repudiation of Capitalism over the course of history.

Which side do you agree with? Firstly, does religion shape society or society shape religion? Secondly, is the protestant ethic responsible for capitalism or are other, more important variables at play?

From a purely logical point of view, empirical evidence appears not to support this proposition. Look at Japan, China, Thailand, South Korea, India--all robust capitalist societies with negligible Christian, let alone Protestant, population. Even our very own Philippines can stand as a stark example of a wheeler-dealer (more like a tingi than big-time capitalist) free enterprise society that seeks more spiritual guidance from the pope than Protestant ministers.

The relationship seems to be more obvious between the political and the economic system. China, although still nominally communist, has considerably relaxed its political control to sustain the vibrancy of its capitalistic economy.

I would venture to say that the prevalent spiritual and religious thoughts in a society influence its political system, which in turn influence the economic system.

Protestantism, which has myriad denominations and diverse worship forms, is consistent with pluralistic societies that is the base of democracy. But other religious thoughts that teach tolerance and peaceful coexistence like Buddhism and Shintoism are just as compatible with democracy--hence Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

Therefore, it seems clear that Protestantism is not a necessary and sufficient condition for the emergence of a capitalism.



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Lorenzo

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Excellent points, Sir.

True, of course; capitalism as a form of activity has always had some place in most societies. But historically, that place has always been marginal; capitalist activity has been much more the exception than the rule. Weber wanted to investigate why the exception suddenly became the rule in the society of modern Europe. Why did an economic form that had traditionally been confined to corners of society come, in the relatively brief space of a few centuries, to define the activity of a whole civilization?




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