The Protestant Ethic or the Spirit of Capitalism: Christians, Freedom, and Free Markets
Ebook
Overview
Since the publication of Max Weber’s classic, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, it has long been assumed that a distinctly Protestant ethos has shaped the current global economic order. Against this common consensus, Kathryn D. Blanchard argues that the theological thought of John Calvin and the Protestant movement as a whole has much to say that challenges the current incarnation of the capitalist order. This book develops an approach to Christian economic ethics that celebrates God’s gift of human freedom, while at the same time acknowledging necessary, and indeed vital, limitations in the context of material and social life. Through sustained interaction with such unlikely dialogue partners as Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Deirdre McCloskey, and Muhammad Yunus, this book shows that the virtues of self-denial, neighbor love, and sympathy have been quite at home in the capitalism of the past, and can be again. Though self-interest has enjoyed several decades as the unquestioned ruling principle of American economics, other-interest is steadily coming back into view, not only among Christian ethicists, but among economists as well. This book explores the important implications of this shift in economic thinking from a theological perspective.
”Christian ethicists, confronted by the complexities of modern
economic science, have largely abandoned any attempt to assess the
moral presumptions of economics--but not Kate Blanchard. Instead,
she has done the hard work of probing the Chicago School of
economics in an effort to expose their inadequate understanding of
freedom. Blanchard even helps us to see how capitalism--or better,
the market rightly conceived--both depends upon and can enhance our
trust of one another."
--Stanley Hauerwas
Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics
Duke Divinity School
“Kathryn Blanchard’s book is a thought provoking and gracefully
written exploration of what Christian freedom means in economic
life. She wrestles with the thought of John Calvin, Adam Smith, and
the Chicago School, taking economics seriously, but not so
seriously as to silence her theological voice. Well informed and
fair-minded, it is a personal book, with an admirable self
awareness and awareness of the context of the authors she
discusses. Choose it over many of the turgid and predictable
volumes that line the Christian social ethics shelves."
--Paul Oslington
Professor of Economics
Australian Catholic University
"In this wonderful book, Kathryn Blanchard issues a winsome
invitation to a more humane capitalism and a serious call to
narrate and to practice capitalism in a morally and socially
responsible way. By her engaging and sympathetic accounts of John
Calvin and Adam Smith, by her theologically astute criticisms of
the ‘the Chicago School,’ and by her attention to new voices in
economics, she points Christians beyond the options of simply
tithing or simply uttering prophetic jeremiads against capitalism.
She points all of us toward a more virtuous economic life.
--Allen Verhey
Professor of Theological Ethics
Duke Divinity School
"The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is an impressive
work of Christian ethics that integrates theological and economic
analyses into a challenging and important discussion about freedom
and markets. Those who are profoundly suspicious of free market
capitalism, those who enthusiastically celebrate free market
capitalism, and the confused majority of us who fall somewhere in
between will all learn a great deal, think more, and be better
equipped to talk to one another because of Kathryn Blanchard’s fine
work."
--Kevin J. O’Brien
Assistant Professor of Religion
Pacific Lutheran University
"In the midst of a global economic crisis, Blanchard’s careful
analysis of the meaning and function of ‘freedom’ in the works of
John Calvin, Adam Smith, and the Chicago School of Economics brings
clarity and insight to the ethical underpinnings of a capitalist
system that appears on the verge of spinning out of control. This
study is a ‘must read,’ not only for ethicists, but for economists,
bankers, businesspeople, and anyone else concerned about our
collective economic future."
--Rebecca Todd Peters
Associate Professor and Chair of Religious Studies
Elon University
Product Details
- Title : The Protestant Ethic or the Spirit of Capitalism: Christians, Freedom, and Free Markets
- Author: Blanchard, Kathryn D.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2010
- ISBN: 9781621890690
Kathryn D. Blanchard is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. She is the author of several articles on economic and sexual ethics.