Capitalism as Religious Ideology.

Walter Benjamin’s essay “Capitalism as Religion” explores the idea that capitalism can be viewed as a form of religion. To understand this argument, it’s essential to break down the elements of capitalist ideology and conceptions of religion that Benjamin uses to justify this comparison and how it helps us think about challenges in contemporary capitalist societies.

1. Sacrifice and Ritual: Benjamin suggests that capitalism involves a form of ritualistic behavior and sacrifice similar to religious practices. In capitalism, individuals often sacrifice their time, labor, and sometimes even their well-being for the pursuit of wealth. This can be seen as a type of religious devotion to the pursuit of material gain.
2. Idolatry of Money: Capitalism places a significant emphasis on the accumulation of wealth and material possessions. Benjamin argues that money itself can become an idol, a symbol of ultimate value, much like religious idols in traditional religions. People may worship and obsess over money as if it were a deity.
3. Theology of Capital: Benjamin points out that capitalism has its own set of beliefs and values. It promotes the idea that financial success is a sign of virtue and hard work, while poverty is often seen as a moral failing. This moral dimension of capitalism can be seen as akin to religious morality.
4. Eschatological Element: Religion often includes ideas about an ultimate destiny or purpose for human existence. In capitalism, the pursuit of endless economic growth and progress can be viewed as a secular form of eschatology, where the goal is the perpetual improvement of material conditions.
5. Alienation and Redemption: Benjamin suggests that people in capitalist societies can feel alienated from their labor and themselves. However, capitalism also offers the promise of redemption through the accumulation of wealth or the possibility of social mobility. This promise of redemption mirrors the concept of salvation found in many religious traditions.
6. Consumerism and Materialism: Capitalism encourages consumption and materialism as a way to find fulfillment and meaning in life. People are often urged to seek happiness and identity through the acquisition of products, similar to how religious adherents seek spiritual fulfillment through rituals and religious objects.
7. Critique of Capitalism: Benjamin’s comparison of capitalism to religion serves as a critique of the negative aspects of capitalism. By framing capitalism as a form of religion, he highlights its potential for exploitation, inequality, and the alienation of individuals from their true selves.

In terms of contemporary capitalist societies, this comparison helps us think about the challenges they face by highlighting the potential drawbacks and pitfalls of a system that treats the pursuit of profit as the ultimate goal. It encourages us to question the values and beliefs underpinning capitalism and consider whether alternative economic systems or reforms are needed to address issues such as income inequality, environmental degradation, and the impact of consumerism on individual well-being. Additionally, it prompts us to examine how capitalism can sometimes function as a belief system that shapes our identities, behaviors, and aspirations, much like religion does.