Max Weber's Sociological Theories

Flashcards covering key concepts from Max Weber's sociological theories, including social class, Protestant ethic, types of social action, capitalism, and ideal types.

Social Class (Weber)

Refers to persons with similar ability to obtain positions, procure goods/services, and live a similar lifestyle. Primarily an economic phenomenon related to income and profit, based on property ownership or lack thereof, influencing life chances.

Propertied Class (Weber)

Rentier (lives off investments/trust funds, old money) Entrepreneurs (merchants, business owners, bankers)

Non-Propertied Class (Weber)

Middle class (white-collar workers) Skilled workers (craftsmen) Semi-skilled workers (factory workers) Unskilled workers (manual labor)

Prestige (Weber)

Status is one's social prestige or honor, which may or may not be influenced by class.

Power (Weber)

One's ability to get one's way despite the resistance of others.

Protestant Ethic

Weber's theory connects Protestant beliefs to the rise of capitalism, noting differences in wealth and status between Protestants and Catholics, attributing this to Protestant economic rationalism and work ethic.

Calling (Protestant Ethic)

Protestant role models live 'in the world,' shifting emphasis there. Catholics see work as means to an end.

Predestination (Protestant Ethic)

Protestants seek 'hints' of their fate through blessings. Catholics believe heaven is a reward for good deeds.

Community Ties (Protestant Ethic)

Protestants emphasize individual responsibility. Catholics value community and compassion.

Systemic Rationality (Protestant Ethic)

Protestant ministers lack power to forgive sins; Catholic priests have 'sacramental power'.

Instrumentally Rational Action

Action determined by expectations regarding the behavior of objects or persons in the environment, where end, means, and secondary results are rationally considered and weighed.

Value Rational Action

Action determined by a conscious belief in the value for its own sake of some ethical behavior, regardless of its success.

Affectual Action

Action determined by the actor's specific states and feelings, often emotional reactions.

Traditional Action

Action determined by ingrained habit; often an automatic reaction rather than social action.

Capitalism (Weber)

Characterized by private ownership, free labor markets, and unrestricted markets, leading to wealth creation, separation of work from home, and changes in political order, beginning with the creation of Nation States.

Ideal Type (Weber)

A theoretical model constructed through detailed empirical study, used to study historical realities by comparing similarities and divergences from the model; not a utopia, but an exaggerated conceptual model.

Legitimacy

In government

Law of Progress

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