Conservative Force Flashcards
What is a conservative force?
you aim to preserve certain values in society
How is religion a Conservative force?
1) It is often seen a conservative force because it ‘traditional’. It defends traditional customs
2) It’s a conservative because it functions to preserve things as they are it stabilises society and maintains the status quo
Which 3 perspectives argue religion is a conservative force?
Functionalist
Marxism
Feminism
What does Functionalists say about religion being a conservative force?
positive function for society and individual because it helps create social order and maintain value consensus
What does Marxist say about religion being a conservative force?
Marx views religion as a ideology that aimed to control the masses
What does Feminist say about religion being a conservative force?
maintaining the status quo which is a patriarchal society
What perspective argue religion promote social change?
-Engels-suggest that religion can overthrow the hierarchy
-Bloch-Religion offers hope
-Maduro-Religion helps equip individual to resist authoritarian rule
Weber say about Calvinism?
-Weber argues that the religious belief of Calvinism helped bring about major social change
-Weber argues-the spirit of capitalism is embedded in Calvinists belief and attitudes
What are the Features of Calvinist Belief?
1)Predestination
2)Divine Transcendence
3)Vocation/calling
4)Asceticism
What is Divine Transcendence?
-God is above and beyond that no human being could declare to know his will
-This left people feeling ‘inner loneliness’
-Weber calls this Salvation panic-they didn’t know if they been chosen to be saved and they could not do anything to change it
What is Vocation/calling?
-This ideas is that we all have a calling to serve God
-This led to Calvinist looking for sign for God that they were indeed among the elect
What is Asceticism?
is a philosophy of self denial
-Idea Christian should lead a strict life without luxuries
Weber isn’t saying that Calvinism CAUSED capitalism but rather was one of the causes of capitalism?
-Ancient China and India were materially more advanced than Europe BUT capitalism did not take off here.
-He argues that the reason why capitalism did not come about is because there was a lack of belief system similar to Calvinism that would have spurred its development.
Evaluation of Calvinism?
-Weber himself acknowledged that Calvinism was not the only factor responsible for the development of capitalism but it was a significant factor but there were other factors
- there were places were Calvinism is very strong but there was little development of capitalism and indeed hostility e,g, Scotland which is poor but Calvinism was dominant
Bruce say religion as an ideological resource?
-Taking the moral high ground-Pointing out hypocrisy
-Channelling Dissent-provides channels to express political dissent in a safe
-Acting as honest broker-Churches can provide a context for negotiating change
-Mobilising Public Opinion
