Herland Report

In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, sociologist Max Weber states that when modern Capitalism took form in Protestant countries such as Switzerland and Germany about two hundred years ago, the ideal was to earn money and increase wealth – not to squander one’s income away on status, luxury and consumerism.

The duty of the believer was to use their abilities to achieve success in all aspects of life, in order to honor God and help their fellow man.

This thought is also deeply embedded in Jewish thinking, from which Christianity derives its roots, writes historian of comparative religions and bestselling author, Hanne Nabintu Herland, founder of The Herland Report.

The created world is viewed as imperfect, and it is the duty of the human being to use his life to make it better. Some become musicians, some intellectuals, some scientists, some skilled workers, some excellent teachers, and nannies. Jewish tradition keeps this ideal very alive; each man is to strive to become the best version of himself, to “help God” make the world a better place with whichever abilities he has.

Christianity addresses the same topic, speaking of capital and finances as a means to build society and do good to others. One is to earn money in order to have something to give to society for the betterment of all.

The initial form of Protestant Capitalism had solidarity at its core. Yet, in the West today, a Capitalism devoid of morality has become the means to justify greed, injustice, and selfishness.

The Protestant Ethic and Capitalism: In the early Protestant countries, the point was to reinvest capital into the economic system and make sure the whole society prospered. The contingent culture of sincerity that Protestantism represented at that time emphasized pietistic, frugal attitudes combined with income-producing hard work. Solidarity was front and center, at the very core of the early Capitalists.

One of the economic model’s brilliant principles was the association between saving and innovation. The possibilities that lie in the individualistic approach of owning the fruit of one’s own labor contributed to the break with pre-industrial society and its fixed focus on hereditary titles and vocations.

New opportunities were abundant. In the USA, immigrants from Britain who were farmers and fishermen increased their status by harnessing their own expertise, willingness to work side by side in the fellowship of men, founded on virtues and ethical qualities.

READ MORE