Examine how Max Weber applies the ideal type construct in establishing a relationship between religion and economy.

max weber believes that reality is dynamic and sociology should study the essence of reality by constructing ideal types.

He contradicts with Durkheim's view that religion is a form of society worship and also viticizer to Marx's dysfunctional theory of religion. He argues that there are different types of religions and they have varied relationship with economy. Thus reality is vast, unorganized, dichotomous and chaotic.

Hence he constructed ideal type, classifying the religions into 3 types based on their relationship with capitalism:-

(1) RELIGION HAVING STRONG LINKAGE WITH CAPITALISM

In this category he talks about calvanist religion or protestantism. Acording to him the preochings of protestantism (protestant ethics) are coherent with the demands of capitalism. It preaches that:

(1) Material Asceticism should be practised ie the money should be used to make money, no conspicious consumption or wastage of money. thus using capital for investment and profit apart from necessary needs.

(2) Good behaviour through judicious use of time, commitment to work should be practiced. thus work is worship and duty is God for a true protestant.

(3) Calling means that work is always calling the person. Thus assigning utmost importance to work.

(4) Pre destination is a feature that God has created everything and nothing can be altered without his choice. Therefore man should be committed and dedicated to his duties.

(5) This worldly religion ie. religion is not about salvation or society worship. It is about rational behaviour, commitment to work, time management etc.

(2) RELIGION HAVING WEAK LINKAGE WITH CAPITALISM

There are 3 such religions :

(a) JUDAISM

Jews are very good at time and work management and they make huge amount of money and then go for seclusion. Thus though they follow protestant ethics but only upto a limited age.

(b) ISLAM

Many traders and merchants came from Islamic countries because making money is ethical but some part of this money needs to be used for charity, pilgrimage etc. Further women are not allowed to join production activities, polygamy etc. increased the population of dependent people. This creates hindrance in full development of capitalism.

(c) CATHOLICISM

catholics also lay importance on independent existence and rational earning of money. But it encourage regular church visit etc. which creates weak linkage with capitalism.

(3) RELIGIONS HAVING NO LINKAGE WITH CAPITALISM

(a) HINDUISM

Hinduism believes that life is sin and a person should commit to Dharma (duties) and Moksha (salvation) to get rid from cycle of birth and rebirth. it promotes Purushartha and non-asceticism and hence far away from spirit of capitalism.

(b) BUDDHISM

similarly buddhism focus on Aparigraha ie non-possession of property. It considers desire as the cause of sufferings and hence annihilation of desire and materialistic pleasure is key to salvation.

(c) TAOISM