term invented by German sociologist Max Weber and used in the title of his classic book ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism' (1904–05); based on his ideas on the study of Calvinism, concluded that this Reform type of Protestantism instilled strong values of hard work, thrift, and efficiency; each individual had an earthly calling, or vocation, that was a sign of his election to eternal salvation and in this calling was urged to fulfill potential through work and achievement to gain prosperity for self and community; Weber believed this theory helped explain the remarkable economic success of some Protestant regions of Europe from the 17th century onward; similar ethic can be found in Chinese Confucianism.