The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Dover Value Editions)

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Summary: The protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism
Review: This is a very concise and succinct exploration of the role of four major branches of religious thought to come out of the Reformation: Lutheranism, Methodism, Anabaptist and Calvinism. His exploration of ascetism within these specific religious philosophies and their impact on capitalism is as insightful as I have ever read. Having personal and extensive experience amongst some of the reminant religious communities still functioning in North America, I must say his objectivity in a such a subjective subject makes for a lucid and enlightening read. If you do not have some background in Reformation and northern European history of this time, you may miss much of what he's trying to convey. He demonstrates that he is a true scholiast of this subject. Have your dictionary handy!!!

Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Weber's work is, among other things, a great example of what happens when research goes bad. His work is most significant to academia because it shows what can happen when a researcher mistakenly assumes a causal relationship between two variables that are simply coincidentally related. Religion and capitalism is an excellent example and a call to vigilance for all researchers. It is particularly pertinent to this study where it might be easy to conclude too hastily about relationships between a respondent's religious, ethnic backgrounds, political affiliation or knowledge and the respondent's opinions.
It is now obvious the world that there is no link between Protestant religion and successful capitalism. Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and other nations that do not have Protestant Christianity as the primary religion in the country have become economically powerful. Nonetheless Weber's classic must be read, both as an example of a great mind and to show how even a great scholar can be lead astray. It is a reminder to all people to think critically at all times. For what seems obviously correct at the time, might very well be proved to be absolutely invalid.