![Page 1: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Max Weber
(1864 – 1920)
His Influence Lives On
Todd Erickson
![Page 2: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
My Challenge Today
100 lbs of stuff into a 1 lb bag. His works were “works in progress”. Given time constraints, I will not be
able to fully support everything here.
Note to self: This is not an economics class.
![Page 3: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
My Objectives
For you to be able to:
See how his ideas come together. Understand his impact today. Have a sense of the areas where he is
criticized. Form your own opinions about Weber’s
influence today.
![Page 4: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
My Primary Sources Robert Green – overview of the critics. Gordon Marshall - analysis. Wolfgang Mommsen – journal article. Kurt Samuelsson - critiques. Richard Swedberg – reviews economics. Max Weber –
Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Theory of Economic & Social Organizations
![Page 5: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Basic Background Sketch Family cultured, upper middle class Father a politician Raised in Berlin, surrounded by
socialism, Marxism, democracy, monarchies, dictatorships.
Primarily agrarian commerce Died of pneumonia at 56
![Page 6: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Who Was He Anyway?
Took a law degree Earliest work in historical jurisprudence Taught only economics Studied sociology
Of Religion Of Politics
Wrote as an economic sociologist
![Page 7: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Rejected Marxism Early
It did not account for the power of ideas very well.
It discounted people as individuals w/ unique skills etc.
It was too regimented.
![Page 8: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Popular Economics – 1880’s
The German Historical School. Institutional in focus. Holistic/historical approach - not
focusing analytically on any mechanisms.
![Page 9: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Economics Not Real Enough
“Homo economicus” was not real. Theoretical economics too narrow. He required students to study
outside of economics Law – heavily influenced economics. Sociology – human behavior and the
state.
![Page 10: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Weber and Economics
Economic theory deals exclusively w/rational economic action usually not found in reality.
(Weber. Economy and Society: An Interpretive outline of Economics.)
![Page 11: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Sociology was too Limiting Existing work not rigorous. Didn’t answer enough questions Motivational issues unresolved. Too narrow
Religion Economics Political
![Page 12: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Weber and Sociology Deals w/ broad range of actions that have to
be oriented to others. Interaction – two people orient their actions
to each other. Power – one person imposes their action on
the other. Order – extended interaction creates
expectations. Organization – an order w/specific
safeguards(Weber. Economy and Society: An Interpretive outline of Economics.)
![Page 13: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Introducing Economic Sociology
Sociological analysis of the economy. (an innovation)
Analysis of relation of economy to non-economic phenomena (politics, law, religion).
Integration is a big theme of his. Disciplines, in isolation, often can’t cope
with reality.
![Page 14: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Major Influences on Weber
Early work on capitalism A trip to America.
![Page 15: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
What is Modern Capitalism? Not the pursuit of money/gain or
unlimited greed. This is ancient. It is the pursuit of “forever renewed profit
by continuous, rational capitalistic enterprise”.
Emphasis on balance, careful consideration, planning.
The new idea: the organisation of legally free labour.
![Page 16: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
What Caused the Change? Standard answer: gold/silver from
America, commerce growth outside of Europe, population growth, technological improvements.
Weber’s response: conditions were favourable – yes; but the best conditions did not yield the best capitalism and visa versa.
His answer: the religious revolution of the 16th century formed the seeds.
![Page 17: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
What Allows it to Continue? The new capitalism developed along
with a new system of legal and administrative support. Not just technological advancement or religious influence. The development was iterative – not just one driving the other.
![Page 18: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Religious Influence Highest economic development
occurred where the most religious revolution occurred.
Problem: different religious groups had differing amounts of economic change. WHY?
![Page 19: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Religious Influence - Luther
Luther – moral justification of worldly pursuits (but not commerce)
Labor is now a spiritual end. Covetousness is less dangerous than
sloth.
![Page 20: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Religious Influence - Calvin
“The calling” – a task set by God & chosen by the individual.
A strenuous and exacting enterprise pursued with a sense of religious responsibility.
![Page 21: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Therefore… A New Attitude All callings are equal. Pursuing your calling vigorously is
the sign of your election. You must do it well. Pursuit of wealth is a duty Added a moral dimension to wealth.
What was a human vice is now sanctified.
![Page 22: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
A Trip to America
Caused a transition in his thought Modern capitalism more prevalent in
America. “Everything opposed to the culture
of capitalism is going to be demolished with irresistible force.” (Weber)
![Page 23: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
A Weber Quote: “Perhaps never before in history has it
been made so easy for a nation to become a great civilized power, as for the American people. Yet, according to human foresight, it also is the last time in the long-lasting history of mankind that so favourable conditions for a free and grand development will exist; right now the areas of free soil are vanishing throughout the world.”
![Page 24: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
A Conclusion: “Weber concluded that religious
groups in America practiced a sort of social selection by co-opting as members only those who were considered morally worthy and were, at the same time, respected and professionally successful citizens.” (Mommsen)
![Page 25: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Another Conclusion
Modern, rational science is taking over, governing what society thinks is acceptable.
Personal beliefs subsumed. Industrial capitalism and bureaucratization form
the “iron cage” binding mankind. While Puritanism was the model, this new force has taken over.
Bureaucracy was a key – large & skilled not driven by nepotism. (I.E. the U.S. government).
![Page 26: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
The Danger
Weber believed:Formal rational techniques of socialand economic organization, enforced bymarketplace mechanics, was inevitablybound up with “material irrationalities” -the erosion of relative equality, an increasein social tensions, a weakening ofdemocratic forces.
![Page 27: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Critics are Easy to Find A broad, unfinished vision brings critics:
Theologians Sociologists Historians Economists
Most reactions focused on accuracy of aesthetic Protestant roots.
Some doubted his pessimism. Hard to be dispassionate.
![Page 28: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Tough Assumptions Weber’s approach requires certain
assumptions –
1. The economy is rational.2. The support structures are in place (law,
political, attitudes)
Problems include: Can the planning body have adequate
knowledge?
![Page 29: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
More Tough Assumptions Does the planning body actually adhere to the
standards laid out for them (are they rational?) Agreed upon list of values, by which the rational
decisions are made, is never available. Are decisions enforceable? Would require
tremendous bureaucracy. Human behaviour is very complex – equilibrium is hard to find.
Therefore: a system of spontaneously determined competitive prices stabilizes the system because it makes it easier to overcome all the irrational forces impacting it.
![Page 30: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Some Observations
Weber’s ideas have infiltrated Marketing management Market forces based on exchange and
competition (5 Forces Model) The impact of religious thoughts
• “we are good - they are bad”
![Page 31: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
More Observations Religion probably didn’t cause it all. However, it had to have some
influence. The process of capitalism’s expansion was labor intensive. Religion was the only vehicle to speak to the masses that could give them the incentive to fuel capitalism.
![Page 32: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Still More … Weber foresaw trouble, but he didn’t
tell us how to get out of it. The Scientific Management School
was a logical outgrowth based on Weber’s observations.
It was also logical that Scientific Management would not solve the problem.
![Page 33: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
More, More and More... He saw the person as important - yet
took a fatalistic view of where capitalism was going.
Saw the person as a tool of capitalism - didn’t look into what would make that tool more effective (only the system).
Researchers wouldn’t look people as people until the 1960’s.
![Page 34: Max Weber (1864 – 1920) His Influence Lives On Todd Erickson](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022013115/56649e5f5503460f94b59722/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
What do you think? How are large bureaucracies doing? Are employee’s interests subsumed?
Do trends today prove Weber wrong? What role does religion play in the
economy today? What role does religion play in
management/motivation today?