Weber Flashcards
What did Weber learn from Kant?
When we explain in the human sciences or history we have to do it by understanding the motivations of the people involved. There are no laws for the humans sciences. Looking for causal explanations
What does rational organisation depend on?
Being able to calculate the effects on your income of things - have to have accounting. Has to be consistent and rely on the law
Why do you need calculability in rational technology?
So all machines work in exactly the same way
What did the west have that the east didn’t?
Rational state and laws. A concept of citizen. Science - development of natural science to have advances in engineering
What put an end to the backward sloping supply curve of labour?
Supposed to organise things as a means to an end. Have to organise yourself - makes capitalism possible
What is the protestant ethic?
Think of work as a duty. Good works were a sign of being saved - predestination
How does protestant ethic excuse capitalism?
Capitalists can make as much money as they want but its all for God. Money is a means to an end, not for enjoyment. All that matters is business honour
What is rationalisation?
The process in which more and more of life is conducted on the basis of abstract calculation of the means needed to achieve defined ends
What are the problems with rationalisation?
Loss of spirituality, leads to disenchantment
What is the Iron Cage?
The ‘cloak’ for the care of external goods has become an iron cage on everybody. Rationalisation and greed are tied together
What are Ideal Types?
They are abstract and tell you something important. Some explanation of social change but only partial
How does weber define classes?
Their relationship to markets
What makes a class successful?
Keeping people out. Gain control of the most valuable markets. Cornering a market, monopolising resources
What are status groups?
Communities of people who think of each other as of similar standing