Tocqueville and Weber in Conversation
Please put Tocqueville and Weber in conversation with one another about the primary themes apparent in the excerpts we have studied.
For Tocqueville a primary theme is the relationship between equality and individualism and the impact on participation, which is a prerequisite for sustaining a healthy democracy and political freedom. For Weber a primary theme is the relationship between the Puritan idea of the “calling” and the work ethic. He argues that with secularization the work ethic becomes like an iron cage, demanded by the system rather than “called for” by one’s faith. His work is also about political freedom, although you must think more for yourself about how this is the case.
It is not easy to relate these authors, nonetheless the thinkers we will be studying do just that. Therefore, in this paper, I want to challenge you to put them in conversation and see what you come up with in terms of their thinking about political freedom.
The only sources used should be the two readings and the paper should follow the writing guidelines provided.
Attachment : Max Weber Ch 5 Asceticism and the Spirit of Capitalism Prompt for Paper #1-2 How to write for Contemporary Political Ideas Alexis de Tocqueville excerpts, Dem in America
