Final answer:
Max Weber contended that the Protestant Ethic, particularly values associated with Calvinism, was crucial in the emergence of capitalism. He suggested that the hardworking, frugal nature of Protestants contributed to the development and success of capitalist societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Max Weber, the Protestant Ethic was a central factor in the birth of capitalism. In his influential work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905), Weber argues that the religious principles of Protestantism, especially those related to Calvinism, encouraged a work ethic that favored the development of capitalism. Weber observed that in heavily Protestant societies, such as those in the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Germany, the most successful business leaders were Protestant, who valued hard work, success, and frugality, thus not spending profits on frivolous things.
While Weber's theory has been a subject of controversy and debate, his ideas on the link between religious beliefs, particularly the Protestant work ethic, and the economic structure of capitalism have had a lasting impact on the study of sociology and the understanding of cultural influences on economic systems.