Religion And Social Change

Question 1

Neo-Marxism:

Answer 1

Maduro focused on the idea proposed by Engels and Gramsci, that religion could be used to bring about social change.

Question 2

Liberation theology:

Answer 2

In Latin America (1960’s and 1970’s) Catholic priests preaching what Maduro calls Liberation Theology. E.g. El Salvador archbishop murdered for speaking out against the government concerning the dire social conditions of the countries poor.
Liberation theology is Christian teachings and beliefs that emphasise the church’s duty to help free people form all types of oppression. Mainly refers to Latin America Catholicism.

Question 3

Neo-Marxism 2:

Answer 3

Maduro explained that the clergy had played the role of Gramsci’s working class intellectuals. The Catholic Chruch was still very influential in such Latin America countries, and the priests were in a strong position to act as the voice of the people.

Question 4

Weber:

Answer 4

Weber also believed at religion is a force that can bring about social change, but he looked at it more in terms of how religious ideas can influence social change.
In his study ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Sprit of Capitalism’, he described how Calvinism (a type of Protestantism) helped to bring about capitalism.

Question 5

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

Answer 5

In some countries, at various points in history, the material conditions for capitalism were present, but it never actually got off the ground. E.g. China had the technical knowledge, finance and available labour but the entrepreneurs lacked the song work ethic that would make them commit all their time, energy and finance to the business.

Question 6

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism 2

Answer 6

To kick start capitalism, single minded devotion to the business was required so that profit was ploughed back into the enterprise, making it flourish.

Question 7

Calvinism

Answer 7

A central belief is the doctrine of predestination. Calvinists had no way of knowing whether they were bound for heaven or hell after death. The all wanted to prove to themselves and others that they were part of the elect- God’s chosen ones, destined for heaven. This produced a strong work ethic called the Protestant ethic. Calvinists worked very hard, seeing their careers more like religious calling and they believed that the huge fortunes they made were evidence of God’s favour, proving membership of the elect.

Question 8

Doctrine of predestination

Answer 8

The belief that when you are born, God had already decided whether you will go to heaven or hell after you die.

Question 9

Protestant ethic

Answer 9

Devotion to work produced by Calvinist beliefs

Question 10

Calvinism 2

Answer 10

Another important aspect of Calvinism in establishing capitalism is the fact that it is an ascetic religion. The Calvinists therefore had nothing on which to lavish vast amounts of money. This resulted in the spirit of capitalism, as unlike the businessmen in China, the Calvinist entrepreneurs repeatedly reinvested their profit back into their companies instead of pursuing material gain.

Question 11

Ascetic

Answer 11

Denying yourself any luxury

Question 12

Spirit of capitalism

Answer 12

The continuous systematic pursuit of profit

Question 13

Weber 2

Answer 13

The reason Weber set out to show that the religious ideas resulted in the growth of capitalism was not only that he disagreed with Marx’s claim that religion is conservative. He also wanted to challenge Marx’s claim that economic force shape social life. Weber this this here by showing that an aspect of social life, religion, actually shaped the economy.

Question 14

Weber evaluation

Answer 14

Kautsky (Marxist) argues that Weber is wrong to claim that Calvinism helped bring about capitalism. Instead, he asserts that capitalism, came first and that Calvinists then used it to indicate their position as the elect.

Historians suggest that the spirit of capitalism could not be linked solely with Calvinism. It is just as likely to have sprung from other religions and placed, such as the Jews in central and Eastern Europe.

Question 15

Is religion and conservative or a radical force?

Answer 15

Religion itself is neither a conservative nor radical. Its role in society depends on who has the chance to use it and the particular social contest in which it’s used. Marxists show how social elites use religion to prevent social change, thereby maintaining their dominant position. However, Weber asserted that religious ideas were opportune in ushering in one of the greatest periods of social change in wester history: the development of capitalism.