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The Capitalist Future: A Consequence Of Calvinist Annunciation - Online Term Paper

The Capitalist Future: A Consequence Of Calvinist Annunciation

In his work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Weber
predicts that the future will be a world of "mechanized perfection" devoid of
"religious and ethical meaning." In this world modern capitalism becomes a self
sustaining system no longer needing the Calvinist religious impetus that had
inspired the work ethic. Weber argues that the future will be a capitalistic
society, where the proletariat and the bourgeoisie alike, will not be driven by
religious motivation, but instead by a constant struggle to benefit from the
system. He reasons that this future of the capitalist society is a direct
consequence of the teachings of Calvinism. The Calvinist work ethic of 'living
to ...

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appeasing God through service or
sacrifice. The answer to the question whether believers were the chosen or the
damned could thus neither be influenced nor known. If, however, one turned his
work into a 'calling,' restricting any desire to wasteful pleasure, he could
experience a feeling of assurance that he is indeed a member of the Elect.
Calvinism preached this ascetic ethic of hard work and complete absence of
frivolous waste of money and time. As a result, the work ethic of the
population shifted from 'working to live' to 'living to work.' Traditional
capitalism which relied on the "greedy maximization of profit in a one-shot
enterprise," (14) became the rational modern capitalism, a continuous cycle
involving the constant "productive investment of capital." (172) The Calvinist
teachings demanded honest dealings in business, steady production and sales, and
continuous savings and reinvestment which no doubt led to phenomenal business
growth and success. Weber illustrates in ...

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The Capitalist Future: A Consequence Of Calvinist Annunciation. (2007, August 28). Retrieved January 12, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Capitalist-Future-Consequence-Calvinist-Annunciation/70287

"The Capitalist Future: A Consequence Of Calvinist Annunciation." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 28 Aug. 2007. Web. 12 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Capitalist-Future-Consequence-Calvinist-Annunciation/70287>

"The Capitalist Future: A Consequence Of Calvinist Annunciation." Essayworld.com. August 28, 2007. Accessed January 12, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Capitalist-Future-Consequence-Calvinist-Annunciation/70287.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/28/2007 03:26:47 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 916
Pages: 4

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