Max Weber -Rise of Capitalism

Protestant Ethic and Capitalism:

Capitalism thrived because Protestants valued time management, constant labor, and a simple lifestyle.

Materialism Alone Not the Cause:

If materialism was the only factor, non-Protestant countries would have advanced faster. But capitalism grew quicker in Protestant countries.

Asceticism:

Protestants believed in living a simple, disciplined life, avoiding excess.

The Calling:

Every person has a duty on earth, and fulfilling that duty well was believed to be crucial for salvation.

Wealth as a Sign of Salvation:

• Accumulating wealth was seen as evidence of being chosen for salvation.

Rationalization

involves creating rules, procedures, and standards in all aspects of economic activity.

iron cage

Over time, religious motivations behind work and economic activity diminished. the bureaucratic and profit-driven capitalist system remained. People became trapped in this "iron cage" of capitalism, working hard and accumulating wealth due to systemic pressures, not religious calling.

Marx

Believed capitalism stemmed from materialism: the focus on physical resources and economic needs - teleological model: capitalism had a clear, predetermined end - communism.