The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
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| <small>Illustration: ''[[The image breakers]]'', c.[[1566]] –[[1568]] by [[Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder]]</small>]] | <small>Illustration: ''[[The image breakers]]'', c.[[1566]] –[[1568]] by [[Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder]]</small>]] | ||
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| - | The '''Protestant work ethic''', sometimes called the '''Puritan work ethic''', is a [[Calvinism|Calvinist]] value emphasizing the necessity of constant [[labor]] in a person's calling as a sign of personal [[salvation]]. [[Protestantism|Protestants]] beginning with [[Martin Luther]] had reconceptualised work as a duty in the world for the benefit of the individual and society as a whole. The [[Catholicism|Catholic]] idea of [[Divine grace|good works]] was transformed into an obligation to work diligently as a sign of grace. | + | |
| - | ==History== | + | |
| - | The term was first coined by [[Max Weber]] in his ''[[The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]]''. The Protestant work ethic is often credited with helping to define the societies of Northern Europe and other countries where Protestantism was strong (for example, the [[Scandinavia|Scandinavian]] countries, [[the Netherlands]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], and the [[United States of America]]). In such societies, it is regarded by some observers as one of the cornerstones of national prosperity. Such observers would say that people in countries with Protestant roots tend to be more materialistic, perfectionist, and more focused on work as compared to people in many Catholic countries (for example, [[Spain]], [[Italy]], and [[France]]) where the people have a more relaxed attitude towards work and are less materialistic. | + | '''''The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism''''' is a [[book]] written by [[Max Weber]], a [[Germany|German]] [[economist]] and [[sociologist]], in 1904 and 1905 that began as a series of [[essay]]s. The original edition was in German and has been released. |
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| + | In the book, Weber wrote that [[capitalism]] in northern Europe evolved when the [[Protestant]] (particularly [[Calvinism|Calvinist]]) [[ethic]] influenced large numbers of people to engage in work in the secular world, developing their own [[Organization|enterprise]]s and engaging in [[trade]] and the accumulation of [[wealth]] for investment. In other words, the Protestant ethic was a force behind an unplanned and uncoordinated [[mass action (sociology)|mass action]] that influenced the development of [[capitalism]]. This idea is also known as "the Weber thesis". | ||
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Revision as of 23:23, 9 July 2009
Illustration: The image breakers, c.1566 –1568 by Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder
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The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is a book written by Max Weber, a German economist and sociologist, in 1904 and 1905 that began as a series of essays. The original edition was in German and has been released.
In the book, Weber wrote that capitalism in northern Europe evolved when the Protestant (particularly Calvinist) ethic influenced large numbers of people to engage in work in the secular world, developing their own enterprises and engaging in trade and the accumulation of wealth for investment. In other words, the Protestant ethic was a force behind an unplanned and uncoordinated mass action that influenced the development of capitalism. This idea is also known as "the Weber thesis".
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