The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West / Edition 4

by Max Weber, Stephen Kalberg

Overview

For more than 100 years, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism has set the parameters for the debate over the origins of modern capitalism. Now more timely and thought-provoking than ever, this esteemed classic of twentieth-century social science examines the deep cultural "frame of mind" that influences work life to this day in northern America and Western Europe. Stephen Kalberg's internationally acclaimed translation captures the essence of Weber's style as well as the subtlety of his descriptions and causal arguments.

Now, for the first time in one volume, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West integrates Weber's exploration of the spirit of capitalism's origins with his larger project: a multi-causal analysis of the West's distinctiveness and its sources. Weber's texts present wide-ranging discussions on the Western city, state, forms of rulership and law, and modes of economic innovation. Moreover, in many selections Weber offers in-depth and insightful comparisons to China and India. Readings on the "economic ethics" of Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism further illuminate the distinct qualities of the West's trajectory and its diverse causes. A separate section examines the long-range influence of the ascetic Protestant sects and churches on American society.

To draw readers into the material, this engaging volume includes extended introductions by the editor, many new translations, a chronology of Weber's life, an expanded glossary and bibliography, and numerous clarifying endnotes. In addition, Kalberg addresses a variety of debates concerning the central elements of contemporary life. Ideal for courses in sociology, anthropology, political science, history, international relations, and economics, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the origins and endurance of the modern West.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195332537
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/04/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	608
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Stephen Kalberg is Associate Professor of Sociology at Boston University and an affiliate of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard University. He is the editor of Max Weber: Readings and Commentary on Modernity (2005) and author of Max Weber's Comparative-Historical Sociology (1994). He teaches courses in sociological theory and comparative political cultures.

Table of Contents

*+New to this editionbGeneral Introduction:/b Max Weber and the Modern West, iStephen Kalberg/iI. THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISMIntroduction to the Translation, iStephen Kalberg/iIntroduction to iThe Protestant Ethic, Stephen Kalberg/iPart I: The ProblemChapter 1: Religious Affiliation and Social StratificationChapter 2: The Spirit of CapitalismChapter 3: Luther's Conception of the CallingPart II: The Vocational Ethic of Ascetic ProtestantismChapter 4: The Religious Foundations of This-Worldly Asceticism, A. Calvinism, B. Pietism, C. Methodism, D. The Baptizing Sects and ChurchesChapter 5: Asceticism and the Spirit of Capitalism*II. THE PROTESTANT SECTS IN AMERICA AND THE UNIQUENESS OF WESTERN RATIONALISMIntroduction, iStephen Kalberg/iI. "The Protestant Sects and the Spirit of Capitalism"II. "'Churches' and 'Sects' in North America: An Ecclesiastical Sociopolitical Sketch"III. "Prefatory Remarks" to Collected Essays in the Sociology of Religion (1920)*III. DEMARCATING THE UNIQUENESS OF THE WEST THROUGH COMPARISONS: MAGIC AND THE ECONOMIC ETHICS OF THE WORLD RELIGIONSIntroduction, iStephen Kalberg/iI. Main Concepts: Economic Ethics, the Influence of Social Carriers, and from Sacred Law to the Ethic of ConvictionII. India: Hinduism and BuddhismIII. China: ConfucianismIV. Confucianism and PuritanismV. JudaismVI. The Middle East: IslamVII. The West: Ancient Christianity and Catholicism*IV. THE RISE OF MODERN CAPITALISM: THE WESTERN RATIONALISM AND MODERN WESTERN RATIONALISM DEEP CONTEXTSIntroduction, iStephen Kalberg/iI. Comparative Cases: China and IndiaII. The Ancient and Medieval Cities in the West: Fraternization, Incorporation, and the Dissolution of Clan TiesIII. The Putting-Out System, Modes of Financing, Mercantilism, and the FactoryIV. The Definition of Modern Capitalism, and the Relationship of Feudalism and Patrimonialism to CapitalismV. The West's Cross-State Competition vs. Hierocracy and CaesaropapismVI. Juridical Formalism and the Rational StateVII. Ethos and Education under Feudalism and Patrimonialism, Clerical Education, and the Puritans' Mass IntellectualismVIII. The Sect, Democracy, Tolerance, Freedom of Conscience, and a Cosmos of Abstract NormsIX. Bureaucratization, Democracy, and Modern CapitalismX. The Impersonality of the Market and Discipline in the Modern Capitalist FactorybAppendix I:/b Weber's Summary Statements on "iThe Protestant Ethic/i Thesis"A. The Development of the Capitalist Frame of Mind (1919-1920)B. "A 'Final Rebuttal' to a Critic of 'Spirit of Capitalism'" (1910)bAppendix II:/b Suggested Further ReadingA. The Protestant Ethic Thesis and the Protestant Ethic DebateB. Max Weber: Life and WorkNotes for iThe Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism/iLiterature CitedA. Writings of Max WeberB. Secondary LiteratureAcknowledgments*A Chronology of Max Weber's Life*GlossaryName IndexSubject Index