WEBER'S PROTESTANT ETHIC AND SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM

Written by Michael, Michael Ntia

INTRODUCTION
Weber examines the economics relevance of a specific religious ethic.  Though he speaks of a correlation at times, and of a casual influence elsewhere he states clearly that he is treating “Only one side of casual chain” i.e. the impact of religious values of economic conduct.   Weber is aware of the limited purpose of his efforts and states that he hopes “to clarify the part which religious forces have played in forming the developing web of our specifically modern world culture in the complex interaction of innumerable different historical factors.”

Weber is not arguing that capitalism was caused by the rise of Protestantism.  He attempts something much more complex.  He outlines when he called the elective affinity between Protestantism and certain elements in the culture of capitalism.   According to Weber, ascetic Protestantism had contributed something to the overall development of the modern economic system.  Though it is difficult to evaluate in quantitative forms, it is necessary to examine Weber’s thesis.

THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM:

Weber defined capitalism as a modern phenomenon, very complex system of institutions highly rational in character, and the product   of   a   number   of   developments   peculiar   to   western civilization.  In Weber’s terms capitalism was unique in two ways. One is the sense that had not appeared before in the history of the west and second, it never emerged spontaneously in the East. Weber emphasis that elements of rationalization were peculiar to Europe rational, permanent enterprise, rational accounting, rational law complementary to there were the rational spirit and a rational economic, ethic, which were responsible for the development of modern capitalism. It was the development of goal oriented (Zweckration behavioural that Weber was interested in Rationalization was the Keynote of what Weber called as the “Spirit of Capitalism”.

Weber further explains what the spirits of capitalism is.  It is not simply agreed for wealth.  Many traditional societies exhibited this.  This distinctive trait of the spirit of capitalism is not the pursuit of personal gain, but „the disciplined obligation of work as a duty.   It consists of a unique combination of devotion to the accumulation of wealth and the denial of its use for personal enjoyment for Weber there was an affinity between the spirit of capitalism and early Protestant belief.  Weber explores the source of the rational spirit and ethic of Protestantism and the treats ethics as a necessary complementary factor.

THE PROTESTANT ETHIC:

In this study, Weber brings out the important differences between the Protestants and the Catholics. According to Weber Protestants were more inclined to pursue technical, industrial and commercial studies and occupation and to engage in capitalistic enterprises.  Catholics seemed to prefer more traditional humanistic studies.   Among workers, Catholics preferred more traditional occupations like crafts.   Protestants acquired industrial skills and acquired administrative positions.

Weber   explain   these   difference   in   terms   of   religious education and values which the two groups received in their homes and communities Weber points out to the smaller representation of Catholics in “modern business life”.   While Protestants from the upper or lower strata whether in majority or minority have shown a special tendency to develop economic rationalism.  Weber explains that the principles difference is “in the permanent intrinsic character of their religious beliefs and not only in the irreligious beliefs but in their temporary external historic political situation.”

Weber explains these differences on the basis of other worliness of Catholicism and an indifference to matter of this world. Protestantism in contrast is secular, materialistic and of this world Weber looking for the origin, materialistic and of this world.  Weber looking for the origin, materialistic and of this world „Weber looking for the origin of this spirit traces it to the Protestant doctrine of all Protestant groups shared this ascetic way of life that stimulated capitalistic development.  This ethic was seen in the various sects of the Protestants especially among the Calvinists Weber believed that among the Protestant a new concept had emerge the concept of “calling”.  It referred to the morally dutifufillment of task assigned by God.   According to Calvinism everyone ultimate fate was predestined by God.   Therefore, good works were unless for the attainment of salvation but they were necessary as a possible sign of „election‟.   For the Calvinists the doctrine of „predestination‟ seemed to make Salvation a hopeless matter.  They had no way of knowing it.  They were among God’s elect.  To avoid the despair of hopelessness they had to lead pure and fruitful lives. If an individual prospered in his work, it was a sign of God’s grace. Hard work served to allay the anxiety of the fear of damnation. Hard work the morally dutiful pursuit of a calling the belief that God helps those who help themselves and the absolute avoidance of anything that would detract one from the ascetic way of life was considered by Weber to be a part of Protestant ethic.

According to Weber, Calvinism insisted on the methodical and systematic pursuit of a calling, everyday for everyone viewed thus he protest and ethic, because of the concept of calling and doctrine of predestination urged its adherents to work hard methodically hard work was a possible sign of one’s selection.   It also looked upon the pursuit of wealth as an end in itself.  At the same   time   Protestant   ethic   was   against   “the   spontaneous enjoyment of life.”   This permitted the accumulation of wealth so necessary for capitalist development.

THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM

Weber wrote ‘The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism’ between 1903 and 1904, and  published  it  as  two  separate  essays  in  1905  and  1906.  Since its publication, The Protestant Ethic has been a controversial work that has been subject to harsh criticism by many writers for its central assertion that the ascetic regulation of economic life coupled with restraint, prudent saving and s stringent attitude toward work was religiously induced. Critical objections began to emerge from historians and theologians who claimed that Weber’s argument had central weaknesses. Even today, criticism of Weber’s study continues to generate controversy.

Weber located a positive relationship between the Protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism. Western capitalism, according to Weber, assumed its shape because it was supported by a certain belief system, namely, the “the Protestant ethic”. Weber argued that the Protestant ethic is associated with the spirit of capitalism. In order to bring out this interrelationship, Weber constructed ideal types of both, the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.

The commercial activities of many of the Western European countries intensified along with a simultaneous popularity of Protestantism in these societies. The capitalism of those times were identified by two contradictory activities of amassing wealth beyond the personal uses of individuals and avoidance of use of these wealth for the purpose of personal pleasure and enjoyment. Thus, Weber noticed capitalism is not only the production and exchange, money making and profit, but an ascetic attitude towards life.

THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM

The desire to earn wealth or profit is as old as human history. Wealth is regarded as a symbol of power, property and prestige. However, this desire to earn wealth got an organized form in modern or rational capitalism. Weber wanted to study this rational capitalism. Weber makes a distinction between traditional capitalism and rational capitalism. Traditional capitalism was particularly noticeable in the Italian cities. Traditional capitalism was a risky business, involving the import of luxury items from distant places. Foreign silks, spices, ivory etc. were sold to buyers at exorbitant prices. The aim was to extract maximum profit. Rational capitalism on the other hand depends on mass production and distribution of goods. Industrial revolution and factory production made this possible. Rational capitalism does not deal with a few luxury items but with almost all the daily material requirements. Rational capitalism is constantly expanding and looking for new methods, new inventions, new products and new customers. Involving methodical work and regularized transactions, it is thus qualitatively and quantitatively different from traditional capitalism.

According to Weber, capitalists earn wealth not for enjoyment of life but for earning more capital. The thirst for money making for its own sake is the very essence of modern capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system which aims at the unlimited accumulation of profit through the rational organization of production. Capitalism arose in the Western countries like England and Germany, which experienced what we call the “Industrial Revolution”. The growth of the factory system, new techniques of production, new tools and machines made it possible for the capitalists or the owners to earn vast amounts of money. Efficiency and discipline are the pillars of capitalism.  The worker was a means to an end, the end being profit. The attitude towards work was that it should be done well not because one had to do it, but because it carried an intrinsic reward.

Weber contrasted this work ethic with another type which he termed as traditionalism. Here, workers prefer less work to more pay, relaxation to exertion. They are either unable to or unwilling to take up new work methods and techniques. In capitalism, the worker is regarded by the capitalist as a means to an end. But under traditionalism, the worker employer relationship is informal, direct and personal. Traditionalism hampers the growth of capitalism. Capitalism stresses on individualism, innovation and relentless pursuit of profit where as traditionalism is characterized by a much less disciplined and efficient system of production.

FEATURES OF THE PROTESTANT ETHIC INFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM

Protestantism, as the name suggests, is a religion of the protest. It arose in the sixteenth century Europe during the reformation period. Its founding fathers like Martin Luther and John Calvin broke away from the Catholic Church. They felt that the Church had become too immersed in doctrines and rituals.  It had lost touch with the common people.  Greed, corruption and vice had gripped the Church. Priests had a life-style more suitable for princes. The Protestants tried to recapture the lost spirit of the Church. They stressed simplicity, austerity and devotion. Calvinism, founded by John Calvin, was one such sect. The followers of Calvin in Europe were known as puritans.  They migrated to the continent of North America and were the founders of the American nation. Weber observed that in the West, it was by and large the Protestants who had made great progress in education and employment. They were the top bureaucrats, the most skilled technical workers and the leading industrialists. Weber was very much interested to study Calvinism. By examining its features we can see the linkage between religion and economy.

FEATURES OF CALVINISM

·         Calvin’s image of god- God, said Calvin, was all powerful, transcendent. His divine will was unknowable. It would be foolish of any human being to try to understand God’s will. It could not be understood simply because it was God’s will.

·         Doctrine of predestination- Calvinism believes that certain persons are chosen or ‘elected’ by God to enter heaven while the rest are dumped. The chosen will reach heaven no matter what ever they do on Earth.  We cannot bribe God through prayers and sacrifices. As this Will is unknowable, we cannot change it. People can only work for their material prosperity as it would symbolize their election. We would work for the glory of God.

·          “This worldly asceticism”- By ‘asceticism’ we mean strict discipline, control and conquest of desires. In Protestantism, particularly Calvinism Weber detected this-worldly asceticism.  It stressed rigorous self-discipline in order to master the environment.  A simple frugal life-style was recommended along with hard work.  Worldly or sensual pleasures are denounced. Dance and music, film and theatres are thought to deviate the people from working for the glory of God. This emphasis on hard work was not confined to the Calvinists alone. It was a common feature of all Protestant sects. The idea that ‘honesty is the best policy’ was the principle of early capitalism. The fruits of hard labour could not be spent on worldly pleasures. Thus there was only one outlet for money. It was reinvested and hence used to make more money. Calvinists believe that ‘work is worship’ and ‘time is money’.

·         The notion of “calling”- The Calvinist ethic holds that all work is important and sacred. It is not mere work; it is a calling or a mission and should be performed with devotion and sincerity.

Weber summarized the Calvinists ethics in five points-

a.       1. There exists an absolute transcendent God who created the world and rules it, but is incomprehensible and inaccessible to the finite minds of men.

b.      2.  This  all  powerful  and  mysterious  God had  predestined  each  of us  to  salvation  or damnation, so that we cannot by our works alter a divine decree which was made before we were born.

c.      3.  God created the world for his own glory.

d.     4.  Whether he is to be damned or saved, man is obliged to work for the glory of God and to create the Kingdom of God on Earth.

e.       5.  Earthly things, human nature, and flesh belong to the order of sin and death and salvation can come to man only through divine grace.

This helped to create a disciplined and dedicated workforce without which capitalism could not have emerged. Hard-work, saving and re-investment and the desire to prosper have a strong affinity with the “spirit of capitalism”. Working day and night and not enjoying the fruits of that labour might seem very irrational to most of us. But if we keep in mind the “doctrine of predestination” and the need to prosper to prove one’s “election” by God, this irrational behaviour makes sense.