Max Weber's "Protestant Ethic"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how capitalism is an economic proposal which by nature requires the acquisition of material wealth by one at the direct expense of another. The paper considers American social class divisions through the lens of Max Weber's "Protestant Ethic". The paper highlights the religious and moral imperatives behind the economic principles of the United States and explains Weber's belief that this economic structure could theoretically beget a morally sound society.

From the Paper:

"America's 'free market economy' is one of the calling cards of its defiant stance on individual liberties and personal opportunities for the pursuit of happiness. As a nation founded on explicitly capitalist principles, the United States has established a culture by which the acquisition of material wealth is commensurate to this pursuit. In concordance with the ideals of capitalism, the nation has evolved according to a definably lenient class system which is nonetheless sharply stratified. This is not, as it may at first appear to be, a contradiction in terms. In fact, as the criticism offered on this subject by historically significant schools of intellectual and economic thought will demonstrate, capitalism is an economic proposal which by nature requires the acquisition of material wealth by one at the direct expense of another."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gerth, H.H.; Mills, C.W. & Weber, M. (1958). From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology. Oxford University Press.
• Steinhauer, J. (2005). When the Joneses Where Jeans. The New York Times. Online at < http://forums.nytimes.com/top/opinion/readersopinions/forums/classmatters/whenthejoneseswearjeans/index.html>.
• Weber, Max. (1930). The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Caitalism. [tran. Talcott Parson]. Charles Scribner's Sons.

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