Weberian points: Britain became capitalist because religious ideas helped capitalism to develop Flashcards
Ascetic approach to life
people must abstain from life’s pleasures and adopt an austere lifestyle with rigorous self-discipline. Time wasting, idleness, laziness and gossip were all condemned. The ascetic Protestant had a different attitude to wealth; they did not seek to create it for luxuries or for leisure, but to pursue even greater profits. Wealth creation and the pursuit of profit was an indication of success in the eyes of God
material success
If a person’s work was rewarded with material success, this was a sign of God’s grace and an indication that they were on the path to salvation. To avoid damnation, Calvinists threw themselves into highly disciplined economic activity and a lifetime of ‘good works’. Those in business pursued profit and wealth, not as ends in themselves, but as Christian obligations to make the best use of their God given gifts and talents and as indications of God’s favour.
Capitalism was much less compatible with other religions such as Catholicism
with its emphasis on forgiveness and love, and as such it did not instil the virtue of hard work in its followers. Consequently, the Catholic countries of Europe such as France, Spain and Italy lagged behind as industrial powers. The same was true for other religions such as the Hindu faith of India, where people are told to accept their social position and through reincarnation they will be born into a higher caste.
religion has the power to change society
Aldridge argues that the economic success of Utah (USA) today can be explained by its close links to the Mormon Church. Over 60% of Utah’s residents are Mormons and they have adopted the Protestant work ethic.
Mormon theology encourages hard work, thrift and deferred gratification. This attitude to work is supported by the promotion of traditional values in relation to the nuclear family, segregated gender roles, the obedience of children, opposition to homosexuality and pre-marital sex, prohibition of gambling, alcohol, tobacco and caffein
Social change
They believe that religion can influence the ‘worldview’ of people; religion can give people the ideas for change, the means to achieve social change and religion can be used to justify acts of violence to achieve change in society.
Former United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher said that terrorist acts in the name of religion have become “one of the most important security challenges we face today”. Islamic terrorists have also used religion to justify suicide terrorism and to inspire people to join terror groups.
Modern examples to show how religion can change society
- Iran and the Islamic Revolution 1979:
- The Taliban in Afghanistan 1996-2001:
- ISIS in Syria and Iraq 2014+:
