[Forgiven_Sinner]

I don't argue that the Catholics preceded the Protestants in understanding capitalism; I don't think the author (or Weber) argues that the Protestants invented capitalism. Rather, his argument that Protestant promotes individualism and second generation Protestants are motivated to "prove" their conversion by good works, motivates them to ardent capitalism.

[Clemenza]

I love Weber, but always found this element of his thought rather faulty. I was wondering what he would think of the fact that the state of Bavaria has the freest and most dynamic economy in the German Federal Republic.

What I like bese about Weber is his argument that "social classes" have more to do with cultural identity than any sort of "scientific condition" a la Marx. After all, steel workers in Pennsylvania and heart surgeons in Boca Raton both consider themselves "middle class," whatever economics may say to the contrary.

[wideawake]

Weber's argument is that the Protestant worldview is so naturally consonant with capitalism - that the economic success of XIXth century England and the economic failure of XIXth century Spain were inevitable consequences of their religious differences.

In reality, a number of factors besides religion were significant contributors to the differential in Spanish and English national wealth.