Ishan BhatnagarAIR 5 · CSE 2025 · 182 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Weber envisaged bureaucracy as rational-legal authority which brought about efficiency in work by clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities etc.
Body · points and prose
Relevance of weberian Bureaucracy in era of digital governance
1.> Clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities → urgently needed in digital era with fast expanding scope of governance. e.g. Digital Ombudsman. 2.> Powers are associated with the position, and not the person → speaks to democratization and rationalization of power under digital governance. 3.> Clear standards of performance, execution of tasks to be efficient → aided by digital grievance redressal mechanisms furthering accountability. e.g. CPGRAMS.
Procedural consistency: applying strict standard of procedural compliance → detailed regulations for digital intermediaries. e.g. DPDP Act, IT Rules.
Weberian concern regarding 'Iron cage' of bureaucracy → lack of humane approach in algorithmic justice, automated censorship etc.
Limitations of applying weberian approach -> Lack of centralization: Digital governance has parallel bodies with overlapping jurisdiction
-> Lack of set procedures: evolving issues
Close · a way forward
like cryptocurrency, NFTs have limited precedents or procedures.
Hence modern developments require Weberian Bureaucracy to become more agile, rooted, responsive and people-driven.