Pentecostalism in Latin America

Berger (2003) argues that pentecostalism in Latin America acts as a functional equivalent to Weber's protestant ethic, encouraging the development of capitalism in the same way as Calvinism did in 16th century Europe.

• Like calvinism, Pentecostalism demands an scetic way of life emphasising personal discipline and hard work. This encourages its members to prosper and become upwardly mobile.
• For Berger, something like Protestantism is necessary to promote economic development and raise a society without povery. This can be lef…