The Dutch golden age
As the problems discussed above clearly show, the influence of Calvinism constituted only one, and by nomeans always positive, element in the confluence of factors which enabled the economic florescence of the Dutch Golden Age. Historical sources provide limited evidence in favour of Weber’s theory in the context of the United Provinces. While the introduction of Protestantism did increase the average working time, this change constituted a one-off ecclesiastical decisionmotivated primarily by religious concerns rather than the long-term impact of a Protestant work ethic. Moreover, while the Dutch quality of frugality and the tendency to reinvest profits is often attributed to Calvinist spirituality, archaeological evidence demonstrates that the savings behaviour was already widespread in the late- medieval period. Finally, while the majority of the Dutch elite merchants were Calvinists, confessional minorities also played an important role in the Republic’s entrepreneurial life. As de Vries accurately concluded, ‘The Reformation removed from its hinges the door leading to a rationalized, commercial society. But, in truth, that door was alr eady open.’ 28
Bibliography
De Vries J. van der Woude A. (2010) The First Modern Economy: Success, Failure and Perseverance of the Dutch Economy, 1500-1815. Cambridge Ghosh P. (2004) 'Max Weber in the Netherlands, 1903-1907. A Neglected Episode in the Early History of the Protestant Ethic', Bijdragen en Mededelingen Betreffende de Geschiedenis der Nederlanden 119: 358-37 Hyma A. (1938) ‘Calvinism and Capitalism in the Netherlands’, The Journal of Modern History 3: 321-343 Israel J. (1990) Dutch Primacy inWorld Trade 1585-1740 . Oxford (1995) The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness and Fall 1477-1806 . Oxford Parker Ch. (2018) ‘Reformed Protestantism’, in Helmers H., J anssen G. (eds) The Cambridge Companion to the Dutch Golden Age . Cambridge Sociological Review 17: 119-148 Van Bavel. B (2010) The Medieval Origins of Capitalism in the Netherlands (https://mpra.ub.uni- muenchen.de/49555/1/) Date Consulted: 27.07.2019 Vanhaelen A. (2018) ‘Spiritual Culture’, in Helmers H., Janssen G. (eds) The Cambridge Companion to the Dutch Golden Age . Cambridge Weber, M. (2005) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism . London Zuijerdujin J., van Oosten R. (2015) Breaking the Piggy Bank: What can historical and archaeological sources tell us about late-medieval savings behaviour. (http://www.cgeh.nl/sites/default/files/WorkingPapers/cgehwp65_zuijderduijnvanoosten.pdf) Date Consulted: 26.07.2019
28 De Vries van der Woude: 172.
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