Assignment 2- Weber
The use of the quote from Benjamin Franklin that gives examples of what Weber describes as the Spirit of Capitalism is very detailed. The excerpt seems to be less about work ethic and more about the “spirit” of how capitalism is. For example, making sure your debt is paid on time. “ The most trifling actions that affect a man’s credit are to be regarded. The sound of your hammer at five in the morning, or eight at night, heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but if he sees you at a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a tavern, when you should be at work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it, before he can receive it, in a lump.” (Weber pg15) This best describes a western modern version of capitalism. Where you should not feel like you own everything you have because you worked for it. The creditor or your boss will always have the upper hand and is in some way controlling everything you do and truly owns everything you have. Franklin is reassuring in his words by encouraging honesty and responsibility.
When Weber describes rationalism, he describes that material things and greed drive men. Particularly in the west, the capitalistic rationalism would not be as powerful if not for both the rationalism and the “spirit” of capitalism. “For without the rational capitalistic organization of labour, all this, so far as it was possible at all, would have nothing like the same significance, above all for social structure and all the specific problems of the modern Occident connected with it.” (Weber pg. xxxvi). Social Status and the common separation of economic class is a large contribution to the connection of capitalism in the west.
Weber connects both forms of capitalism to the ideas that in the western culture, there has been more or less of an upper hand created in order to keep the power. With the ideas that religious influences could influence work ethic, Weber rejects that the modern western capitalism has any of these religious ethics involved. The spirit of capitalism that has been created encourages a different attitude toward capitalism. It makes a man more responsible. It reminds me of the power of the credit score. If you do not owe, you do not own. Your credit score follows you and can determine if your American dream of owning a house and a car will be fulfilled or not.
Weber, M. (2001). The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. London: Routledge.
You make some good points here Denise. I like your focus on credit here because this issue is very important to the “ethic” Weber is describing. If people cannot trust you will repay your debts, they will not lend you money. He is stressing how important it was to be able to trade on your good name among the puritans who settled in New England. Next time remember to put everything in your own words, but otherwise nice work.