Protestant Ethic Theory

In his most famous publication, Weber studies the relationship between the ethics of ascetic Protestantism and the emergence of contemporary capitalism. He accounts bureaucracy as a key feature in modern society. This is in no way a detailed account of Protestantism itself but instead an introduction to his later studies such as “The Religion of China: Confucianism and Taoism” or “The Religion of India: The Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism”. Weber argues that the “spirit” that defines capitalist ideas originates in the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation largely influences his work and he noted the shift in Europe’s economic centre following this, away from Catholic countries, for example France, towards protestant countries, for

84). According to Weber and Protestantism, the earning of money is the result and expression of virtue and proficiency in a calling (Weber, 1905/2008, p. 84). This protestant ethic, according to Weber, results in the “social ethic of capitalistic culture, and is a sense the fundamental basis of it” (Weber, 1905/2008, p. 84). As revealed by Weber, the “Spirit of Capitalism” refers to a set of virtues and values, including hard work and progress, that favor the rational pursuit of profit and economic gain (Weber, 1905/2008, p. 84). The modern spirit of capitalism sees profit as an end in itself, and the pursuit of profit as a virtuous act (Weber, 1905/2008, p. 84).

This influenced colonisation of North America due to the fact that population growth threatened to undermine the existing social order as the government did not know how to cope with the growing number of people and they struggled to find places for people to work without causing social disorder. It was important at this time for countries to mobilise economic resources so that all resources could be narrowly focused on a common goal, such as industrial or commercial expansion. That strength of the western European states which could be mobilised lay in conditions that permitted the growth, on the foundation of initially landlord and peasant economies, of industries, trading activities and services whose productivity was relatively high and which in favourable circumstances could originate innovations in technique or organisation or effect regular capital accumulation. The western European countries all experienced rapid population growth until the end of the 16th century. The growth of population, supported by more abundant money supply, was at the base of an economic expansion that was general during the 16th century.

William T Cavanaugh (2008), wrote Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire which is a philosophical book, which focus on four (4) economic life matters that addresses the consumer culture within society. These four economic life matters are free market, consumerism, globalization and economic scarcity. In order for this topic to be discussed on a theological point of view, the author draws the reader’s attention to human life, the ends of life in God. The key question in every process is whether or not the transaction contributes to the flourishing of each person involved. In order to address these questions the author points to concrete examples of alternative economic practices in which Christians participate-: business, co-operatives, credit union, practices of consumption which marks the vision for Christian economic life.

In this document, Higginson calls out merchants who are only looking for money. He insists the Puritans' religion was more important than all other things. Unlike the merchants, who were willing to cheat people so they could get more money, Puritans worked hard to please God. The Puritans influenced economic development in New England by instigating a "Yankee

Instead of a very individualistic way of achieving financial security, Hamilton believed in a collaborative flourishment, where businesses and companies could be established and prosper for the nation. With these ideas, Hamilton created a plan to pay off the federal debt and state’s debt. His arguably biggest contribution to the United States was the his establishment of the

Focusing on their own personal relationship with God, the Protestants “developed the inner self-assurance and assertiveness that marks the modern individual” (Perry 203). Unlike Christians, who relied on the clergy to reach salvation, a prominent outlook of the Reformation maintained that God chooses whether an individual is worthy to get to heaven and that events during one 's life won’t affect this outcome. This way of thinking also “may have contributed to the development of the capitalist spirit, which underlies modern economic life” (Perry 203). Protestants believed that poverty was God’s way of dealing punishment to those who deserved it, while wealth was a sign that a person was destined to reach salvation. Therefore, while Christianity discouraged excessive materialism, the Reformation encouraged productivity and motivated the business class to flourish.

Both political theorists are extreme in their visions and neither seem entirely attainable but they are both inspiring ideals of what society could achieve. Although Arendt makes a very persuasive argument for economics and freedom as separate from one another, Marx’s argument is more convincing. Socialism presents every individual with the opportunity to live the best life suited for their own creative development. If every individual is creating what they want to create and the benefit of their creation goes towards the entire community than there is no reason for economic classes. The idea of socialism and communism may be slightly unrealistic and challenging to implement but in a utopian society, Marx’s view of the political structure is ideal.

Based on Luther's finding the Bible should be the base of good religious life. This is how Christianity was born and became part of the political and social reforms in Germany and later in whole Europe. One of the newest invention of this time the printing press was a major tool of communication. Luther could spread his ideas and believes faster than ever before. Although, the new faith was spreading fast, Martin Luther was “punished” and officially

The middle classes protested against the dominance of the old church because it was largely controlled by the upper classes and administered largely for their benefit. They looked down upon the artisans, merchants, lawyers, doctors etc. who constituted the middle class and were not willing to associate with them. The rise of nation-states and new monarchy who were keen to establish their absolute rule also greatly contributed to the Reformation. People began to assert themselves against blind faith and useless religious rituals and began to feel that they could reach God without the intermediary of a priest.

• England’s highest goods in its competition with other European nations were a different economy and a sophisticated financial system that put trade at the service of the state. Parliament created a series of laws with the name of the Navigation Acts, to hold Britain and the colonies into a big and living, and trading empire. Colonial had raw materials brought into Britain while British manufactured goods were made to everyone on there liking terms to colonial buyers. • England obtained a policy called mercantilism, which is where the government is involved in the economy for the purpose of increasing national wealth. The main goal was to obtain a reasonable balance of trade within the empire as a whole, with exports outside of imports.

Marx ideology for meaning of life was inspired from the time and place he grew up and lived. Marx believed that culture, government, religion, politics, and laws are all structures. The base of the structure is made up of materials used for production. Changes in base would result in changes in the superstructure and who people view their life. Weber wrote The Protestant Ethic and the Spirt of Capitalism during a time that the protestant emphasis hard work and success in business.

What I noticed most about the founding of the American Colonies was the way religion played a vital role both in their establishment and in the early stages of their development. Although MindTap for U.S. History 1st Edition, 1.2 and 2.5 both explain that the primary reason European countries began to explore and colonize was their desire to expand trade and grow their economies, we can still see religion playing an important if occasionally subtle role. In the document, Instructions for the Virginia colony written in 1606, the author states that essential to the colonies success is their ability to be one with each other and with God. As we move further through history we come to the, History of Plymouth Plantation written in 1650 by William

Problem Identification Income inequality has been said to be the main cause of the declining middle class. Many concerns exist regarding the change of pattern in the distribution of income; families that once were in the middle of the distribution have shifter upward and downwards. Economist Kuttner, Author of The Economic Illusion, argued that this shift in pattern began as well-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry and lack of unionization in growing sectors declined. Another contributing factor to the ever rising income inequality is attributed to the rise of skill-biased technology. Advancement in technology has increased the demand for highly educated and skilled workers.