week 4 - Weber Flashcards
Who is Max Weber?
He was able to absorb the impact of WW1
he was a German sociologist and reflected on Marxism
What did Weber add to the ideology of Marxism?
he recognised that there was an economic element, but also culture and politics, as it reflects how we organise economic production.
what is the Verstehen?
The understanding - there were meanings that determined social relations beyond economics
what are the 4 social spheres that Weber thought would lead to change?
political, legal, economic and religious
how did Weber see society?
more a multifaceted account of class. the structures within society and individuals to be ale to form relations.
focus on macro structures that affect change in production
how does Weber see class?
class related to the market
the closest class is related to monetary power
property and a lack of property is seen to be important distinguish between classes
ownership of property is important, creates a return on investment
skills and services that can be traded in the job market
monopolise the market
small classes are successful, depending on th scarcity to be able to increase the value of the goods
how does Weber see status?
consumption rates, moving beyond Marx
separate from production sphere
status groups defined by lifestyles and habits
segregate themselves from other status group
status with the aspect of class
how does Weber see party?
political parties
parties operate to attain power
influence the actions of others
centralisation of power
parties seek power while power separate from the market and status spheres
the state can influence the market
parties represent an alliance of classes or status groups
parties also have their own interests
what is ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Catholicism’ 1904?
it is an explanation of how capitalism came into being
temporal element of how society changed, dynamic element
how does religion relate to Marxism?
religion is attached to how we live our lives. beyond the economic relations, multifaceted approach
what are the main observations of ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Catholicism’?
main European centre of capitalism had all increased capitalist activity at the same time as Protestantism was rising.
capitalism in the west has two elements
- earning lots of wealth beyond personal needs
- avoidance of using the money for personal pleasure
what does Benjamin Franklin have to do with religion and Marxism?
the spirit of capitalism is embodied by Franklin who was one of the Founding Fathers of the US
he wrote articles involved in the market of capitalism, ‘time is money’
interaction between religion and economic spheres similar to Weber
what is the importance of asceticism?
the ascetic religion of the monks - depriving yourself of desires and pleasures. Many monks lived a life of abstinence from many pleasures, this was to achieve spiritual goals, for their after life.
what is the importance of the reformation?
Protestant reformation was the emergence of Protestantism as distinct to Catholicism.
Luther’s 1517 book ‘The Ninety-Five Theses’ marks the start of the reformation
argued against the dominant catholic idea, people could escape punishment from God for their sins through payment of the Church
the bible is the only authority on Christian thinking.
what is salvation anxiety? how does religion link to capitalism?
a fear of God would punish them for the sins that they have committed.
the ‘Calling’ became an individual activity, people thought of work as duty and were a sign of being saved.
the meanings of production and control can be justified by religion, the change of society within the expanse of religion.
the process of rationalisation mean that the religious commitment of the protestant ethic was removed, leaving a class of entrepreneurs, freeing of religious constraints
allowing capitalism to take off
