Role Of Religion And Culture In The Development Of Capitalism
Successful application and explanation of economic performance have encompassed political and social issues thus going beyond economic variables, (Malkov A., 2006). Social researchers for instance Max Weber have argued that economic growth theories should include nations culture and the religion. Religion has a profound impact and its activities affect the economic performance. In this essay, am going to discuss the Weber’s account on the impact of religion and culture on capitalism advancement, (Pritchard, E 1965). The essay will cover the definition of capitalism, culture and the analogous of religion to human capital on the first part. There will be also the discussion of the religious impact on capitalism and culture and its impact on capitalism. The conclusion will give an overview of the arguments on the essay.
Capitalism is a social system and an economic system whereby the means of production are privately owned. Capitalism has been applied in different analytical categories thus no consensus on the definition of the word. As far as creation of goods and services to sale for a profit, price and wages and means of production being elements of capitalism are concerned there is no controversy. Religion takes many forms as it is developed from different cultures. It refers to communal faith which is related to individual practices, which give meaning to life experiences by referring to a supernatural deity or high power. Culture is the general way of life of a given group of people or society (Durkheim, E.1965).
Religion has played a key role in the formation of beliefs that shape individual traits such as integrity, honesty work ethics and many other traits. Religion has fostered capitalistic concepts by perpetuating religious teaching which is geared towards economic advancement. Related character traits and other individual beliefs have emerged to be a concept termed as spiritual capital. This is analogous to human capital which is important in the economic productivity. Therefore it is through the organized religious operating system where the economic effects of capitalism are advanced through the formation of spiritual capital (Robert J.2009)
Max Weber in his essay on, the protestant ethics emphasized on hoe the religious movements and activities have helped to foster capitalism. Weber argues that it is the puritan ethics and ideas that have influenced the development of capitalism .There are the coinage of the spirit of capitalism as the one that favors a rational economic gain. Weber argues that the spirit is not only shaped and influenced by the western culture but also the attitudes of individual’s matters in the establishment of the new economic order (Richard, J.1976). The rationalization of this is because the individuals involved read both the new and the old testaments with the same weight. However, he asserted that capitalism could be divorced from religion. It is from the spirit of capitalism that the spirit of commercialism arises. Social scientist and philosopher like Montesquieu have agreed that there is a high affinity between the Protestantism and development of capitalism. Protestantism favored rational pursuit of economic gain and a moral and spiritual meaning is given to positive world activities that are geared towards the achievement of this. The Roman Catholic had viewed salvation only to the individuals who had accepted to take sacrament and respect the church authority. However, the reformist removed such assurances. The absence of religious assurance made people to look for other signs that proved they were saved. It is from this instance that the Calvinist believed in double predestination, which argued that God had chose some for salvation and others for damnation. Therefore the inability to control and influence once salvation proved to be a challenge to Calvin followers. The self confidence of salvation only rested on the priestly assurance of Gods grace (Swatos, William H.1990).
It was at this juncture that worldly success became a measure of self-confidence. The fulfillment of protestant ethic made its congregants to be a fertile ground for development of capitalism. This was because of the doctrine of conscience control which instilled honesty in individuals, lack of political affiliation which made individuals to develop apolitically and also the absence of ascentism.Therefore, the secular vocation was to be followed by much zeal t6hus increasing the chances of making money. The new religion also forbade the waste of resources in that the hardly gained money was not to be used on luxuries as it was considered as sin. The donation of money to church or other individuals including beggars was frowned on; this is because it was considered to be a way of encouraging laziness and overburdening other men. There was a much emphasis of working hard as this was a way of glorifying God. All these money was diverted from their initial use and redirected to investment thus boosting the rise of capitalism. The disdaining of luxuries made individual accept uniform products that were available from the industries, thus providing a ground for mass production and laying emphasis on hard work, thrift and frugality.
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