I. Recap: Gift Exchange

A. Shortcomings of Mauss

1. Capitalist exchanges can be used to create links between people
2. Romanticizes non-capitalist gift exchange; human relationships can be negative, unequal

B. Giving as a means for asserting power
C. Banana leaf bundles: women as simultaneously independent of and dependent on men
D. Giving is part of a hierarchy, ebb and flow of power between individuals and groups

 

II. Max Weber (1864-1920) and Human Behavior

A. Mauss, Marx, Scott, movies: capitalism violated moral ethos of non-capitalist societies
B. Weber: capitalism isn't immoral or amoral; it is rooted in a particular moral ethos of value, thrift, and saving: Protestantism, particularly Calvinism
C. Born in Berlin, father was politician
D. Sociologist, philosopher, scholar of religion, political scientist
E. Human behavior is motivated by context
F. Cultures pattern human behavior
G. Similar to Boas' "genius of a people."

 

III. Cultural Ethos and Economic Action

A. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904-5)

1. Question: "Why was capitalism created and developed in Western Europe, rather than somewhere else?"
2. Answer: historical conditions caused the emergence of cultural and religious values which created an ethos conducive to capitalism

B. Weber rejects technological explanation for capitalism

1. China: technologically advanced, but Confucianism promoted social equilibrium, harmony with the cosmos ==> no impetus to change things
2. India: well-developed trade, but Hinduism was other-worldly and caste system was force for conservatism
3. Western Europe: medieval Catholicism saw money as unclean, promoted acceptance of one's lot in life

C. Catalyst for change: Protestant Reformation leads to dynamic progress in economic activity ==> capitalism

 

IV. The Rationalization of Economic Activity

A. Main feature of capitalism: rationalization, not simply a desire for wealth

1. Formerly free labor is organized into disciplined, methodical labor force
2. Wealth isn't used, but is saved and invested

a. self-discipline
b. asceticism

B. Production of wealth becomes an end in and of itself
C. Method of "ideal type"

1. Social life distilled to certain key and distinctive features in what Weber refers to as their "most consistent and logical forms" (98)
2. Enables comparison by isolating and exaggerating key features

 

V. Calvinism, Predestination, and the Concept of a "Calling"

A. Propensity toward disciplined saving as key feature of capitalism
B. Ethos of capitalism predates capitalism
C. The impact of Calvinism

1. John Calvin (1509-1564)
2. Five points (TULIP) formulated by Dutch Reformed theologians at the Synod of Dort (1618 - 19)

a. Humankind is spiritually incapacitated by Sin (Total Depravity)
b. God chooses (elects) unconditionally those who will be saved (Unconditional Election)
c. The saving work of Christ is limited to those elected ones (Limited Atonement)
d. God's grace cannot be turned aside (Irresistible Grace)
e. Those whom God elects in Christ are saved forever, but they must persevere in their faith (Perseverance of the saints)

3. Predestination: God has chosen certain people to be saved. They will go to heaven, the others will not
4. Calvinism creates anxiety: people look for signs of salvation

a. Hard work: calling as a high moral obligation to fulfill your duty in worldly affairs
b. Worldly success as a sign of God's favor

 

VI. The Reproduction of Capitalism: The "Iron Cage"

A. Other factors creating capitalism

1. the separation of economic activity from the household
2. cities and urban centers separate from rural areas
3. Roman law
4. nation-states
5. double-entry bookkeeping
6. the disintegration of feudal obligations which led to a free labor force

B. Calvinist belief in predestination as vital spark, made accumulation necessary and endowed pursuit of profit with moral and sacred character
C. Once capitalism emerges, it becomes self-perpetuating

1. Rationalization in bureaucratic structures reproduces modes of economic activity
2. Religious beliefs no longer necessary
3. Asceticism, thrift, and accumulation become secular virtues

D. Iron cage: "The Puritan wanted to work in a calling; we are forced to do so" (181)

1. We must have money
2. Our desire, love for money reproduces capitalism
3. We must live by the values and structures we have created

 

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