Why You Cannot Understand Modern Society Without Understanding Religion - Essay Example

Both Tocqueville and Weber believe that you cannot understand modern society without understanding religion. Table of Content Introduction 2. Max Weber 's Ideas 3. Tocqueville 's Theories and Ideas 4. Weber and Tocqueville shared a basic worldview 5. Weber and Tocqueville shared a basic worldview 6. Importance of Religion in understanding modern society Introduction Alexis de Tocqueville and Max Weber are considered most approved scholars and authority on modern society and democracy. Weber's style and expressions torment the conscience of politicians. He had complete command over subjects like executive ability of politicians and bureaucracy. On the other hand Tocqueville is also revered for his theories and ideas about present norms of civil society and culture. As compared to other thinkers and philosophers they have been able to retain the acceptance of their ideas among various sects of society. Max Weber 's Ideas Max Weber wrote The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in 1905. It was one of the important sociological works of the last century. He tried to explain the history of past 500 years of Europe. The so-called era Enlightenment that revolutionized almost every aspect of the life of Europeans first and then whole world. He was surprised to note that initially this revolution affected Europe only and then spread everywhere with the spread of colonization. This revolution actually gave a rational interpretation the life. Weber considered American society most ideal society to be studied for understanding the great sociological evolution. Fortunately American society was combination all those necessary factors required for such type of evolution. These factors are vast land with enormous resources, diverse population coming from almost all parts of world, secular practices in pragmatic matters. All these and some other factors worked as catalyst for grand revolution in short span of time. Thus a unique culture and civilization evolved. No nation in the world became such a great-civilized power like Americans. All other civilizations that evolved in the past were influence by some sort of religious or racial movements. Weber did not stop here but he went one step forward and declared that there is no possibility in foreseeable future that any other nation may evolve so rapidly and may get so much favorable factors. Weber seems a little pessimist when he says that capitalism has reached it extreme height in America and perhaps it is its last stage. It can not go beyond this. He was very impressed by the extreme capitalist nature of American economy and society and appreciated it. He thought that Americans have used the theories of capitalism in the best way. After all the praise for the rapid development of American society and economy, Weber seems little concerned about the religious influence on American life. He liked the positive role played by religion in enhancing the ethical values. He found the secret of success of those religious groups after extensive travelling. He observed that majority of religious reformists did their work voluntarily. They were successful and active members of society with strong moral character. Weber was a keen observer; he saw great contrast between the socially isolated Church of Europe and socially integrated church of America. He was very impressed by the influence of American religious groups on the social life of common Americans. These religious groups were less interested in religious rituals but they were keen to reform the society morally and ethically. They were very selective in recruiting the volunteers for their lines. They only took those people whom morally strong and believed the well-established ethical values. These religious groups had a great impact on the American society. They never separated religion from practical social life. They actually taught the society to be morally ethical, religiously strong and professionally useful and adept in the field of their particular expertise. He thought those traditional Yankees are the custodian of social and democratic values of American society. Weber predicted that during the historical evolution the American society and institution would become very powerful. That particular time would be the most critical time for American society. At that point they would have to re-assess their position and would have to adjust according to the need of the hour. Weber concludes in "The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism" that all this progress in science and technology and zenith of capitalism brings American society to a decisive position. If they still want to continue to live and lead the world rationally then they should have to attach themselves to the religious motives which were the driving force for them in past. Tocqueville 's Theories and Ideas Tocqueville was French scholar and politician. He was very diligent before and after French revolution. He was made foreign Minister in 1849. He visited United States for studying judicial system of US. But being a keen observer he observed the political system of US with great interest. He wrote a master piece De la dmocratie en Amrique containing his observations and his intellectual riches. He was a true liberal and was greatly committed to human freedom and liberties. He very truly predicted that democratic institutions are bound to replace European aristocratic institutions. He believed that Europe could learn a lot from American political evolution. He was of the view that modern society could have positive as well as negative impact on the life of modern people. He gave numerous ideas how to reduce these negative impacts and how to enhance the positive outcome of modernity. He suggested that democratic practices should be nurtured and strengthened to avoid negative consequences of modernity. Few excerpts from Tocqueville 's book "De la dmocratie en Amrique" are given that indicate this ideas and perception about modern society and democracy. At one place he says that he has shown in his work that how equality of condition leads men to behave with more responsibility and in accordance with moral values. Equality of conditions actually makes people more strong and honest. Equality of conditions helps in pursuing new intellectual heights. (Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Trans. Henry Reeve. Vol. 1899. pp-491) At another place he says that in modern era it is important to purify and regulate the feeling of ambition of people but it can not be advised that the feeling of people should be repressed. It would be helpful to streamline the feelings and ambitious of modern man but there should be no tight control within certain prescribed limits. He was afraid of involvement of collective force of masses into their personal petty matters thus loosing its vital strength. He advised the leaders of modern society not achieve comprehensive peace and happiness for their people. He further advised that leaders should regularly expose the masses to potential difficulties and dangers. Such policy he thinks will help rulers in curbing the negative instincts of people thus reducing the potential threat of crime. (Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Trans. Henry Reeve. Vol. 1899 pp-537) In another portion of the book Tocqueville says that in past leaders were taught the methods of ruling masses, now masses are taught to obey law of land. In between these two extremes the consideration for humanity is not existing. He disliked the doctrine of necessity used by historian to teach the masses. He thought this doctrine could be quite deadly. It can cripple the evolution of modern society. Consequently Christians of modern era would loose their strength as Turks had lost their mighty empire. (Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Trans. Henry Reeve. Vol. 1899 pp-573). Tocqueville was a staunch supporter of powerful political institutions. He considers that powerful and independent political institution creates a great difference. If the institutions are powerful it can be said that government is good and vice versa. He thought that strength of the people resides in the liberty of institutions. Weber and Tocqueville shared a basic worldview Although both thinkers belong to different eras and they also had different background. Both the great philosophers despite these differences shared a basic worldview. Both agree that there are certain forces responsible for the rapid and unique evolution of American society, these forces are parity or rationalization. They have identical views that these forces were responsible for complete change of human society. Both the thinkers gave great importance to equality, liberty and democracy for constant progress. Having said that they also agreed on comprehensive control of state over the actions of masses within certain prescribed limits. They felt that bureaucracy could be the best tool to be used for such control. But they also had some apprehensions for the possible pitfalls ahead. These pitfalls can possibly emerge because of rampant progress of modern society and also because of overwhelming authority of bureaucracy. Both philosophers thought that progress on the path of equality would consequently level the society and the falls notions of hierarchy and status will disappear. Importance of Religion in understanding modern society Both thinkers gave importance to religion in transformation of society to liberal democratic status. They felt that American society is quite religious but people used religion more for social practices and moral values than mere beliefs. Tocqueville believed that religion was still quite important for the future of a successful democratic society. He thought that religion was the only force that can stop capitalist society to remain balanced. People will give importance to material things but only religion can stop them from getting over materialist thus keeping intact all the values of family and ethics. Only administrative control and liberal values are not enough for a successful democratic society. Works Cited Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Trans. Henry Reeve. Vol. 1. New York: D. Appleton, 1899. Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Trans. Henry Reeve. Vol. 2. New York: D. Appleton, 1901. "Weber, Max, German Sociologist." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2004. Read More