Weber’s Cookbook: The Missing Ingredients

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Weber's Cookbook: The Missing Ingredients

"The business of America is business."

-Calvin Coolidge

For America the definition of business is success. Americans are obsessed with business and all they can think about is succeeding in a business. Weber made a rational argument in saying how capitalism holds people to bondage. Capitalism doesn't allow people to freely express themselves. People do things that would be beneficiary for them to survive in the current status of society. [Weber was heavily influenced by the ideas of Marx, but he noticed that some ingredients were missing from Marx's theory. Weber noticed a difference and problem between medieval Catholic society and 19th century American society. Protestantism provided the foundation for the "missing link" he was searching for between medieval society and 19th century American society. Calvinism led to the Protestant work ethic. Weber finds/uncovers Calvinism in the sermons of Baxter and Wesley that establishes the impetus/foundation for its secular transformation. Franklin's ideas are actually "secular sermons" that support the Protestant ethic. Franklin's sermon is enshrined in the 19th century cult of the self-made man and other writings. "The Ad and the Ego" illustrates the materialistic world and can be tied in with Weber's "iron cage" metaphor.]

Weber noticed that all capitalist societies all had 3 things in common. He followed Marx's ideas. The 3 characteristics of the society were that they had secular ideas from the Renaissance times, effective transportation system, and natural resources. But Weber noticed that even communist societies held the same characteristics as the capitalists. Weber got interested because he noticed how ingredients were missing from Marx's theories and wanted to find the missing pieces to the puzzle. Therefore, Weber concluded that there had to be more "ingredients" in creating a capitalistic nation. He noted that most of the capitalists were Protestants. They were usually Calvinistic Protestants. Being Protestant was a big part of a capitalistic society. Capitalism brings industry and trade. Most Catholics were more involved with handicrafts. The industry and trade brought about the sense of money being more important.
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In the medieval Catholic society, economic traditionalism prevailed, which Weber viewed as a complete contrast to capitalism in several ways. First, economic activity was very much tied to religious bounds in economic traditionalism. Whereas, capitalism has a secular economic activity, an economy not tied to religion. Secondly, Catholics believed in a justified, fair price, but capitalists seek profits in any way. Thirdly, economic traditionalism despised greed when it came to wealth and considered it as a sin. On the other hand, capitalism encouraged avarice, a lust for seeking vast amounts of wealth. Fourthly, Catholics at that time only ...

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