Religion as a force for social change (Change)

Question 1

WEBER

Answer 1

• the most influential sociologist claiming religion could lead to social change
• against Marxist view that religion is always shaped by economic base
• in some circumstances, can lead to social change as indicated in his book, ‘The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’
• in text - looks at relationship between Protestantism (Calvinism) had on the development of western industrial capitalism

Question 2

How Calvinism leads to capitalism

Answer 2

• Calvinists lead ascetic lifestyle
• work long hours for glory of God
• viewed idleness as a sin
• save don’t spend
• need capital for investment
• need a hardworking workforce
• value pacroductivity and efficiency

Question 3

Calvinist beliefs

Answer 3

PREDESTINATION - God predetermines who will be saved, can’t change this
DIVINE TRANSCENDENCE - God is above this world, no human could clam to know his will, so Calvinists feel an ‘unprecedented inner loneliness’ - creates salvation panic
ASCETICISM - abstinence, self-discipline, self-denial, no goods/luxury
IDEA OF A CALLING TO SERVE GOD -in everyday world of work, worldly asceticism, where vocation means constant methodical work in an occupation

Question 4

Summary of Calvinism

Answer 4

• by engaging in innerworldly association, you increase your likelihood of profiting in business
• so being successful/acquiring profit -> indicates you are in God’s graces
• acquiring profit was once seen as a sin, now becomes indication of being in God’s good graces
• used to be seen as sinful so discouraged investment in capitalist venues
• now, with acceptance of Protestant Ethic, capital investment, occupation of wealth and conspicuous consumption -> becomes a more accepted way to show that you are one of those who has been saved

Question 5

Criticism of Calvinism - China/India

Answer 5

WEBER

• Calvinism isn’t the cause of modern capitalism, just one of its main causes - other factors included
• ancient China and India were materially more advanced than Europe, but capitalism didn’t take off here
• so the failure of capitalism to take off here was because of a lack of a belief system like Calvinism

Question 6

Criticism of Calvinism - Hinduism and Confucianism

Answer 6

CHINA
- adopted religion was Confucianism -> good and bad for capitalism
- did have a worldly orientation that meant they worked hard/gained wealth, but were not ascetic - spent money on luxury rather than invested (key for capitalism)
INDIA
- main religion was Hinduism
- very ascetic but didn’t believe in working so didn’t gain wealth
- this is why Calvinists are very special - had right characteristics in religion for capitalism as well as right cultural factors

Question 7

Evaluation

Answer 7

WEBER - acknowledged that Calvinism was not the only factor responsible for development of capitalism. Believed it to be a significant factor, but acknowledged there would’ve been others, outside of his scope of study
EISENSTADT - capitalism did occur in places where there was no Calvinism and indeed predated Calvinism in some places eg Roman Catholic Italy
- there are places where Calvinism is very strong but little development of capitalism and hostility to commerce eg Scotland - remained poor while Calvinism was dominated