Social Discipline in the Reformation. R. Po-Chia Hsia

Social Discipline in the Reformation is about the
theory of Confessionalization, which argues that over time, the system of
social discipline caused the state and church to intertwine in a way that
allowed for the large build up of the modern state.There are three main thesis
of Confessionalization put forth by the original German writer Wolfgang
Reinhard:
1.                 
That the Reformation and
Counter-Reformation were structurally parallel, with the counter-reformation
expressing many modern traits, such as individualism and rationality.
2.                 
 That Confessionalization created social
groups, by a variety of means, including the formulation of dogma, confessional
propaganda, education, discipline, rituals, and language.
3.                 
That Confessionalization strengthened
political centralization when the early modern state used religion to
consolidate its territorial boundary by incorporating the church into the state
bureaucracy, and it imposed social control on its subjects.[1]
This theory is specifically for Germany, but many historians
will argue that it is applicable to a large number of countries. Eventually,
proponents will apply Confessionalization to most of Europe with varying
degrees of success. [2]
R.P-Chia Hsia book was
written soon after the creation of Confessionalization applying the idea that
the people themselves are a very large and active part in creating the
confessional state and puts together the ideas of Schilling and Reinhard.  Hsia clarifies Confessionalization and places
certain aspects under a microscope in different ways in the book Social Discipline in the Reformation:
Central Europe 1550-1750.   Hsia's
first and foremost, agrees with the Reinhard and Schilling and argues in their
favor.  Hsia uses Reinhard's ideas about
school teachers and the middling classes as enforcers to create a convincing
synthesis of the three different religious players in Germany.  The first few chapters are devoted to an in-depth
look into Lutheran, Catholic, and Calvinist Germany.  The focus is on similarities of the social
disciplining apparatus developed to create separate identities.  There is an emphasis on clerical institutions
and confessional propaganda that is a main theme throughout all three of the
social disciplining movements.  Within
these movements Hsia also adds several clarifications on the nature of the
interconnected power between the state and church.   While, the Bureaucracies that were created
within the church were heavily intertwined with state power, on several
occasions the church and the confessional identify made it more difficult for
princes.   This was evidenced by the
conflicts between strong cities and princely powers during the late 16th century.   Because of the use of middle classes within
Confessionalism, when a city had conflict with a prince the loyalties were not
necessarily to the larger state.   It was
not until the later that consolidation of law and discipline went squarely in
the hand of the princes. P-Chia Hsia represents a synthesis of the German
Confessional theory.  The stated goal of
the book is to allow English readers to understand and contribute to the theory
of Confessionalization.[3]    Hsia, while expanding on the original
thesis of Confessionalization, does not make as many far reaching claims of
influence on the modern state.  He
remains the most prevalently sourced book in the English translations of their
arguments.  Hsia also is great because he
combines the ideas that were generally put forth in a series of papers and
journal articles, which makes for a single place to see Confessionalization.
[1] Po-Chia, R. Social Discipline in the Reformation; Central
Europe 1550-1750. 11 New Fetter Lane, London: T. J. Press, 1989. pg 3
[2] Schilling, Heinz. Early Modern
European Civilzation and Its Political and Cultural Dynamism. One Court
Street, Lebanon NH 03766: University Press of New England, 2008.
[3] Po-Chia, Hsia. Social Discipline
in the Reformation; Central Europe 1550-1750. 11 New Fetter Lane, London:
T. J. Press, 1989. pg 4.
Category:Reformation