Religion and Social Change Flashcards
(21 cards)
Religion seen as a conservative force
Traditional and defends traditional customs
Functions to preserve the status quo
Weber (1905) - The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism
Religious beliefs of Calvinism helped bring major social change (inc. emergence of modern capitalism)
Spirit of Capitalism - based on pursuit of profit for their own sake rather than for consumption
Calvinist Beliefs (Weber)
Predestination - God had already chosen ‘the elect’ who would be saved before birth (cannot be changed)
Divine Transcendence - God so far beyond this world no mortal could claim to know his will
These both result in a ‘Salvation Panic’, as Calvinists could not know if they were saved or not
Ascetism - abstinence, self-discipline, refraining from luxury
Idea of a vocation or calling - constant methodical work in a job as a calling to serve God (worldly-asceticism)
2 Consequences of Ascetism
Wealth and success had psychological function to cope with salvation panic - taken as a sign they had been saved
Accumulated wealth by most efficient means possible - reinvested wealth into business, highlighting the spirit of modern capitalism
Hinduism and Confuscianism
Weber argues ancient China and India were more materially advanced than Europe
The failure of capitalism to take off was due to a lack of religious belief
- Hinduism - ascetic religion, but was other-worldly (followers directed towards spiritual world, not material
- Confucianism directed followers to material world, but was not ascetic - lacked drive necessary for modern capitalism
Evaluation of Weber
‘Debate with Marx’s ghost’ - Marx saw economic factors as driving force of change, Weber says material factors are not enough to bring about capitalism, argued Calvinism was also needed
Criticism: Other factors caused the birth of Capitalism
Kautsky (1927) - Marxist
Argues Weber overestimates role of ideas and underestimates economic factors - argues Capitalism preceded Calvinism
Tawney (1926) - technological change, not religious, caused birth of capitalism
Bourgeoisie adopted Calvinist beliefs to legitimise economic gain
Criticism: Capitalism did not develop in every country there were Calvinists
Marshall (1982) - argues this was due to lack of investment and skilled labour, both material and cultural factors need to be fresent
Religion and Social Protest - Bruce (2003)
Interested in the relationship between religion and social change
Uses case studies to compare the role of religiously inspired protest movements in America
The American Civil Rights Movement
Struggle for African American rights that took place in the 1950s and 60s
Bruce describes black clergy as the backbone of the movement - churches provides meeting places and sanctuary from the threat of white violence
Sees religion in this context as an ideological resource - provided beliefs and practices protestors could draw on for motivation and support THROUGH:
- Taking the moral high ground
- Channelling dissent
- Acting as an honest broker
- Mobilising public opinion
The New Christian Right
Conservative, Protestant fundamentalist movement in the 1960s
Aim to take America ‘back to God’, making abortion, homosexuality and divorce illegal
Believes strongly in traditional family and gender roles
Has been largely unsuccessful:
- Campaigners find it difficult to cooperate with people from other religious groups, even if campaigning for the same issue
- Lacks widespread support, been met with strong opposition - views not shared with the wider population
Marxism, Religion and change
Recognise that religious ideas can have relative autonomy - can be partly independent, can be a force of change and also of stability
Engels (1895)
Argues religion can challenge the status quo and encourage social
change
Christianity originated as a way of coping with exploitation - also has been a source of resistance to oppressors
The Principle of Hope - Bloch (1959)
Argued religions offered people the idea of a better society (glimpse of Utopia)
Includes the idea that hope for a better world can influence people’s desire for better things on Earth - can help to rally people to bring about social change
Gramsci (Neo-Marxist)
Believed religious could help develop a counter to the control of the ruling class
Religious leaders could take the role of organic intellectuals, popularising ideas that countered the ruling class
Maduro (Neo-Marxist)
Thinks religion has some ‘relative autonomy’ for the economic system
Argued religious institutions have a degree of freedom from the economic base - do not always work for the benefits of the elites
Believes religion can be a revolutionary force that brings about hange
Liberation Theology
Emerged in Latin America in the Roman Catholic Church in 1950s and 60s - focuses on social justice and the rights of the poor
Argued it was the duty of the church members to fight against unjust, oppressive right-wing dictatorships
Lehman (1996) - Contrast between Pentecostalism and Liberation Theology
Liberation Theology - offers option for the poor of community conscious-raising and campaigning for social change
Pentecostalism - offers option of the poor for individuals to pull themselves out of poverty through their own efforts
Millenarian Movements
Example of the desire to create a change to a better world here and now
Worsley (1968) - these movements expect the liniment transformation of this world through supernatural means, creating a heaven on Earth
Appeal largely to the poor
Gramsci (1971) - Religion and Hegemony
Hegemony - Ideological domination or leadership of society
Ruling class have lessened for coercion when hegemony is established - use religion to maintain control
Gramsci notes that religion has a dual character and can also challenge the ruling class
