This paper considers contemporary capitalism's development within the context of Max Weber's Protestant work ethic in 5 pages. Two sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: JL5_JLweber.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
In order to understand the
way that Weber related his ideal types to the development of social and economic processes, and the connection between the Protestant work ethic and capitalism, it would be useful to
look at the way in which Weber defined his ideal types and the relevance they have to sociological and economic theories.
The ideal types are not considered to be ideal in the moral sense; rather, they are constructs
which allow one a basis for comparison, and are never fully actualised in reality but which can function as benchmarks or systems of measurement against which social realities can be
assessed. As Ridener points out, they are constructed out of certain elements of reality, and (form) a logically precise and coherent whole, which can never be found as such in
that reality (Ridener, 2001, PG). In Webers instrumental-rational model, the
individual is offered a choice between the types of purchasable commodities which are available, and can therefore choose which will be the most effective in terms of their current needs
or purposes. The individual therefore has not only a specific purpose in mind, but also has a number of options from which to select the most effective. This can be
seen reflected in the free market ideology of most of modern western society.