Calvinist Asceticism and the Development of Capitalism Societies which have more individual freedom are more open to social changes. Part of Weber’s theory of why Capitalism first emerged in Protestant countries was that the more individualistic ethos of Protestantism laid the foundations for a greater sense of individual freedom, and the idea that it was acceptable to challenge ‘top down’ interpretations of Christian doctrine, as laid down by the clergy. Similarly, part of being a good Catholic means attending mass, which is administered by a member of the Catholic establishment, which reinforces the idea that the church is in control of religious matters, rather than spirituality being a personal matter as is more the case in Protestant traditions. Practicing Catholics are expected to abide by such interpretations, they are generally not encouraged to interpret religious scripture for themselves. Ultimate power to interpret Catholic doctrine lies with the Pope and his closest advisers. The Catholic Church has a top-down structure: from God to the Pope to the Senior Bishops and then down to the people. In contrast, Catholicism was a religion which encouraged more conservative values and thus was resistant to such changes. This (unintentionally, and over many years) encouraged Protestants to adopt a more ‘individualistic’ attitude to their religion by seeking their own interpretations of Christianity. Protestantism taught that silent reflection, introspection and prayer were the best ways to find God. Protestantism encouraged people to ‘find God for themselves’. Weber theorized that the different value systems of the two religions had different effects: the values of Protestantism encouraged ways of acting which (unintentionally) resulted in capitalism emerging, over a period of many decades, even centuries. He asked himself the question: ‘why did Capitalism develop in these two countries first?’ Protestant Individualism and the Emergence of Capitalismīased on historical observation and analysis, Weber theorized this was because these were the only two countries in which Protestantism was the predominant religion, rather than Catholicism, which was the formal religion of every other European country. Weber observed that Capitalism first took* off in Holland and England, in the mid 17th century. Weber argued that the values of the protestant religion led to the emergence of Capitalism in Western Europe around the 17th century. Calvinist Asceticism and the Development of Capitalism.Protestant Individualism and the Emergence of Capitalism.
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