Weberian Flashcards
What does Max Weber argue?
Religion may be a dynamic force
Uses example of religious ideas helping to bring about the Industrial Revolution
Happened in England first
How did religious ideas help to bring about the Industrial Revolution?
The first capitalists who built & ran the factories. Had two key beliefs: predestination + salvation anxiety
What does predestination mean?
God has already decided who ‘the elect’ are (who is going to heaven) and who is not, nothing you do on earth can alter this decision
What did the belief in predestination lead to?
Salvation anxiety
What is salvation anxiety?
Scared about if they were going to heaven or not, made the Calvinists look for ‘signs’ , one could be economic success + owning lots of factories- encouraged them to work hard
What was Weber’s second key idea?
They were puritans so led ascetic lifestyle; couldn’t waste money but must reinvest it. Meant they became more successful
Why does Weber argue that capitalism didn’t first develop in ancient China or India?
Because it lacked a religious belief system like that of calvinism
How can Weber be criticised?
Some historians have argued that capitalism came before Calvinism
Capitalism didn’t develop in every country where there were lots of Calvinists eg Scotland
Why would anyone want to be a Calvinist; don’t get to enjoy wealth
