Weber Theses

· What is the main idea of Max Weber's Thesis on Protestantism and the Spirit of Capitalism?
· In your studies of the Reformation, what examples can you find, that would support the Weber Theses?
· Can you identify the main parts of the Weber Theses? Can you identify possible criticisms of these theses


Mr. Weber seems to be saying that religion is an important factor in economics surprisingly. One might never consider his/her paycheck as they sit in the pews, but Weber makes quite a point. That being said, his point is how the various churches encourage you to live your life, spend your money on what you need or desire, and how forgiving they are when it comes to a superfluous waste of money. Capitalism is what he claims was encouraged in Protestant churches. Capitalism is nothing scary that only an accountant would know, just a fancy way of saying what everybody’s favorite Philosopher teaches, “A penny saved is a penny earned; now where did I put the paper…” said the wise and forgetful Grandpa. Saving your money to spend on more profitable venture, that being a gift that keeps giving, rather than something that one may desire right now is all Capitalism is.

As far as why he might be right think about some churches you’ve seen. Catholic churches in their hay day, that also being the time of the reformation, are just few things, big, stony, pretty gargoyley, maybe some stained glassiness and expensive. Most protestant churches didn’t have some mutated bat-thing staring at you. Some may have been big and huge and huge and big but it was more about functionality than how pretty it was. After all, when the bills come in the mail, the ugly bat-thing just sits there and threatens to cave in the ceiling. Also most rich people of the time were Catholic to because if they were naughty and anything but humble, your wallet could bring you salvation.

In short the Weber theses are all about why Capitalism works and why mainly Protestant nations had few economic problems compared to mainly Catholic nations. If your religion encourages you to save up, you’re naturally inclined to do so as you run your business and do your shopping. Everybody wins in the long run. In contrast, if you must have the latest computer and all the gizmos and your business is given a new sign, even the old one is just a little faded rather than saving up for a new location, the money dries up fast. When disaster strikes you can sap a bit from the second location account or the save up for new car fund, unless you already spent them. So we watch business flop in Catholic nations because when something bad happens, no one can spend or stay open for business and a domino effect comes into play. Meanwhile Protestant communities stager a bit, but in time regain their composure.

Lastly Mr. Weber doesn’t have to be right. In many instances, nations who were Protestant didn’t capitalize anyway, like Scotland. And other Catholic nations flourished even though the church was glad to over look their how they spent their money, like Italy.