In The Spirit of Capitalism and the Iron Cage, German sociologist Max Weber analyzes how capitalism led to European empires becoming successful. From early on, Europeans adopted a capitalist mentality which allowed them to thrive. As the empires flourish economically, they became enslaved to their system - a system that Weber refers to as the iron cage. The iron cage is part of the Protestant Work Ethic. The Protestant Work Ethic is a Calvinist idea: one’s value and appreciation for hard work deemed as signs of eternal selection or salvation. As time progressed, the Protestant Work Ethic evolved and abandoned its religious roots and became a lifestyle rather than the key to heaven. In his writing, …show more content…
However, life happened – and I got pregnant! I knew that dropping out of college was not an answer, so I began searching for schools that accommodated non-traditional students. My best friend recommended Syracuse University (SU), and I decided to applied. Getting accepted to Syracuse University was a blessing – it was my second chance to freedom. Many young women who choose to keep their children in college are not given second chances early on in their academic career – thankfully, I was one of the …show more content…
In the United States, the Protestant Work Ethic is a transparent system that has become a mechanism for survival for American Society. Weber refers to the Protestant Work Ethic as an iron cage – and I see why! Expectations are necessary to build a better standard. Nonetheless, nowadays, expectations are becoming harder to accomplish because what was consider minimum back then for survival is now not enough. In that regard, the Protestant Work Ethic is an “unnoticeable” cage because no matter how much you do it will never suffice to release you. My family and I without knowing have benefitted and fallen victim at the hands of the Protestant Work Ethic. The Protestant Work Ethic is a system that has produced productivity for centuries – it is impossible to question its significant influence. Now, what is, put into question is how long before the very system that we have created becomes an iron of