Weber & Social Change

Question 1

What’s a conservative force

Answer 1

When societal norms and values are maintained, upholding social solidarity and stability; keeping society as it is (I.e maintaining power for certain groups)

Question 2

What did Weber argue started capitalism

Answer 2

Calvinism; combining asceticism to enable spirit of capitalism to emerge

Question 3

What is asceticism

Answer 3

Focus on the spiritual world rather than material.
E.g. Hinduism in India —> ascetic but not other worldly (focused on spiritual not material)
Confucianism in china —> this worldly but not ascetic (focused on material not spiritual)

Question 4

What are criticisms of Calvinism

Answer 4

1. Norway and Sweden had large Calvinist populations but didn’t industrialise
2. Some people argue upsurges if capitalism happened before Protestant reformation (pre Calvinism)
3. Marxists argue capitalism predated Calvinism