Protestant work ethic

• 1. Weber's Foundational Thesis

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  Max Weber published The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in 1905. This book linked Protestant theology to the rise of capitalism through diligence and frugality. Weber argued that Calvinist doctrines like predestination enabled this economic shift. He believed good fortune from hard work proved a person's right to possess wealth. Those without this ethic emphasized God would be vindicated by granting happiness in the next life. These beliefs guided expectations, behavior, and culture across societies. The term was initially coined by Weber himself during his study trip to America.

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• 2. Theological Roots And Doctrine

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  Protestants began with Martin Luther conceptualizing worldly work as a duty benefiting both individual and society. Catholic ideas of good works transformed into an obligation to consistently work diligently as a sign of grace. Calvinist theologians taught only those predestined to be saved would actually be saved. Salvation remained a gift from God known as sola gratia. Protestants viewed work as stewardship given to them rather than a means to achieve salvation. Hard work and frugality became important applications of being a steward of what God had given them. Old Testament examples abound such as God's command in Exodus 20:8, 10 to remember the Sabbath day. Another passage from the Book of Proverbs warns that poverty will come upon you like a robber if one sleeps too much. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians that anyone not willing to work should not eat.

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• 3. American Colonial Implementation

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  In 1607 the first English settlement in America was established at Jamestown led by John Smith. He trained the first English settlers to work at farming and fishing. These settlers were ill-equipped to survive in the early 1600s and were on the precipice of dying. John Smith emphasized the Protestant work ethic by stating he that will not work shall not eat. This policy is credited with helping the early colony survive and thrive in its relatively harsh environment. The original New England Colonies in 1677 were mostly Protestant in origin and exhibited industriousness and respect for laws. Writer Frank Chodorov argued that the Protestant ethic was long considered indispensable for American political figures. Some have connected the concept of a Protestant work ethic to racist ideals.

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• 4. Historical Criticism And Counter Evidence

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  Austrian political economist Joseph Schumpeter argued that capitalism began in Italy in the 14th century not in Protestant areas of Europe. Danish macroeconomist Thomas Barnebeck Andersen found that the location of monasteries of the Catholic Order of Cistercians highly correlated to this work ethic in later centuries. Ninety percent of these monasteries were founded before the year 1300 AD. Economist Joseph Henrich found that this correlation extends right up to the twenty-first century. Social scientist Rodney Stark commented that during their critical period of economic development northern centers of capitalism were Catholic not Protestant. French historian Fernand Braudel wrote that all historians opposed the tenuous theory of Protestant ethic despite not being able to entirely quash it once and for all. Historian Laurence R. Iannaccone has written that the most noteworthy feature of the Protestant Ethic thesis is its absence of empirical support.

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• 5. Modern Empirical Studies

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  A 2021 study argues that values represented by the Protestant ethic are not exclusively related to Protestantism but to the modernization phase of economic development. Dutch management economists Annemiek Schilpzand and Eelke de Jong argue that this value pattern can be found for any religion or non-religious persons. A 2013 study of 44 European countries found that religious heritage explains half of the between-country variation in Europe in Work Ethic. However the study showed that Protestant heritage was actually the least correlated with a strong work ethic. Muslim then Orthodox then Catholic heritages were the strongest. A 2009 study of 32 mainly developed countries found no difference in work ethic between Catholics and Protestants after correcting for demographic effects. It found substantial support for a social ethic effect due to Catholic attention to production within the family.

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• 6. Psychological Impact On Individuals

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  A study at the University of Groningen shows that psychologically Protestants fare much worse than the general population when unemployed. Researchers attribute that divide to intrinsic appreciation of work amongst Protestants. Pastor John Starke writes that the Protestant work ethic multiplied myths about Protestantism Calvinism vocation and capitalism. To this day many believe Protestants work hard so as to build evidence for salvation. Some support exists that the Protestant work ethic may be so ingrained in American culture that when it appears people may not recognize it. Due to the history of Protestantism in the United States it may be difficult to separate the successes of the country from the ethic that may have significantly contributed to propelling it.

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