Srushti Jayant DeshmukhAIR 5 · CSE 2018 · 196 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
In his locus classicus, "The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism", Max Weber tried to analyse the role of religion as a factor of social change.
This theory of religion analysed protestantism - one of its branch - Calvinism & studied the Ideal typical characteristics. He delineated-
Body · points and prose
•) This worldly ascetism - calvinists believed that the more they succeed the more it means that they are the "Chosen one".
•) This was because of 'Uncertainty' about theory of grace of God & who will get it or who is Predestined to be divinely blessed.
•) This ensured that luxuries were avoided and people reinvested their profits in businesses again so that the production can expand. This drove Capitalist mode of economic production and fueled the "Spirit" behind Capitalism.
Close · a summary
⊙ Weber's theory challenged the Economic Reductionism of Marxist approach.
⊙ It acknowledged the Social determinant of Economic superstructure / production.
But, at the same time, the importance of technological machines for production, commercial revolution, money economy etc in bringing Capitalism & this social change cannot be forgotten.
Religion can be placed as one of the factors in Multi Causal explanation for studying Capitalism as a social change.