Question

What is the weber thesis? What kind of debate does it provoke analyzing the relationship between a protestant and capitalism? Do you think it’s valid? Explain why.

Answer 1

Max Weber wants to establish the relationship between the capitalism and religion. He says that religion is a source of developing capitalism and he wants to find out what mentality influences one to be capitalists. Here he takes protestants as his discussion. Religion takes active part in creating capitalist spirit in an individual.

Calvinism is a branch of Protestantism. In Protestantism it is believed that everything is predetermined by God. The Calvinism of Protestantism believes that if one earns great profit it is the dictation of God. One becomes capitalist because it is the favor of God and they earn great profit as God loves them to do so. This is based on the Protestant idealism of the worldly 'calling'. To be capitalist is a psychological need and it is encouraged by the religion.

From the spiritualistic point of view It appears to be invalid as any religion never encourages one to have more materialistic profit. According to Marx religion is used to spoil human beings. In this respect it appears to be valid. Marx also says about the conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat. He says that bourgeoisie always try to get more profit by exploiting the proletariat. He emphasizes on the need od ending such conflict. The theory appears partly valid in broader views.