What is Calvinism? How does it relate to the idea of the American work ethic?
Calvinism is a set of ideas under Protestant theological system, which emphasis justification by faith alone, the grace of God, and the doctrine of predestination. The American work ethic can be simply put as work without rest. Clearly, the American work ethic is influenced by Calvinism, which states that God likes hard work and dislike time off.
According to Weber, how might Calvinism shape our relationship to work today?
According to Weber, God likes hard work and dislike time off. In relation to today’s society, if calvinism would dictate our belief system or worldview, we would work super hard and never take time off of work.
What does Weeks mean when she refers to an American ideology of work?
According to Weeks, the American ideology of work is a work ethic, which “teaches us that work is the highest calling, moral duty, and ethical practice.”
How does she discuss coercion and consent?
The balance within the work system. In American, people work long hour without out any rest.
So, she rises up the question, “Why does people willing to work long hours without any rest? Why do company want their employees to work none stop? And What make us willing to work so hard.”
What are some of the problems she is identifying?
Weeks identifies the problem of a lot of work with no vacation time for the employees. Also, she thinks that work became elevated. Lastly, she identifies the problem of feminism, which women are working as hard as or even harder than men do.
Why are these things problems to her?
These things are problems to Weeks because she thinks that a society that works none stop every day is a society that lacks of imagination. She thinks that work working long hours like men do is a problem because she values family. In other words, she believes that family is as important as work.
What alternatives interest her?
There are some alternatives that interest her. First, she introduces the three 8s’ idea, which divide people’s time into three major sections. The three 8s are 8 hours of work, 8 hours for the family, and 8 hours to do whatever we will and desire. She is interested in shorter working time and basic income for everyone. Also, she thinks that wealth should be spread because the Americans “[we] have tremendous wealth.” Through her ideas and interests, she emphasis on the importance of political imagination, which she believes is the system that will develop a better world for everyone.