Weber- Religion is a force for change

Question 1

What does Weber believe religious ideas have contributed to?

Answer 1

Specifically Protestant beliefs have contributed to the development of Capitalism

Question 2

What is Calvinism?

Answer 2

A branch of Christianity that emphasises the belief of predestination

Question 3

What is predestination?

Answer 3

God has already decided which souls are saved and go to Heaven

Question 4

What are the responses to Predestination?

Answer 4

Salvation panic- already decided for you, no point, fate etc
or
Looking for a sign your one of the elect

Question 5

Calvinists

Answer 5

Taught to believe that a religious lifestyle was all important and their reward for sticking to such religious principles would be economic success
Encouraged values such as self discipline, hard work, thrift, modesty and the rejection of self indulgence, idleness and lavish spending
- The protestant work ethic
Weber argues the adoption of these ideas led to the rapid accumulation of capital and the emergence of Calvinist capitalist class

Question 6

What is the Protestant work ethic?

Answer 6

The view that a persons duty and responsibility is to achieve success through hard work and discipline

Question 7

What pre conditions need to be in place for Calvinism?

Answer 7

technology, skilled and mobile workforce, bureaucracy and natural resources

Question 8

How did Calvinism help develop economic change in Europe?

Answer 8

Protestant work ethic through Calvinism+ natural resources eg coal= emergence of Capitalism in lots of European countries like Britain.