Yaksh ChaudharyAIR 6 · CSE 2021 · 376 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Weber analysed the concept of bureaucracy through the paradigm of his ideal type. According to weber with modernisation, rationalisation will dominate in the society. Rational bureaucracy will emerge from this process of rationalisation.
Salient features of weberian Bureaucracy
Weber formed the Ideal type of Bureaucracy:
Body · points
- Bureaucracy is an organisation where activities are rationally defined to achieve the predefined goal of organisation.
- Clear cut hierarchy is there where there is a chain of Command.
- Rational system of selection of
beurocrats based on qualifications and merit.
(4) Each beurocratic office has specific task to perform and has expertise in that. Ex- Income Tax department work for taxation and involves expertise
(5) The process and activities of beurocracy works under written legal codes and rules.
(6) Beurocrats work for beurocracy as a vocation.
(7) Beurocrats do not usurp the power or position the beurocracy.
(8) It has benefits of calculability, efficient and predictability in working.
(9) Rational beurocracy is the most efficient organisation for the rational society. Hence it can't
be escaped. weber calls this iron "cage of rationality".
Weber's View on increasing beurocratisation
According to weber beurocracy has the benefit of being most efficient organisation for modern society. It can fulfil the need of capitalism by providing a rational organisation for parforming tasks.
However weber had some apprehensions about increasing Beurocracy:
- Redtapism
- iron cage of rationality which society can't escape
- It produces experts without soul and emotionality
- It can lead to disenchantment and alienation
- Rigid norms and rules can hamper achievement of goals. [RK Merton]
Calls it deviance ie. ritualism.
Criticisms and other views on Bureaucracy
(1) Burns and Stalker argue that beurocracy is not suitable for all the industries. Industries which require flexibility are not suited for rigid beurocracy.
(2) Similarly Alvin Gouldner in his study of gypsum mines in USA argued that presence of beurocracy hampered the productivity in the gypsum mines.
(3) Marxists like Bowels and Gintis suggest that beurocracy in organisations is used to maintain the domination over the working class.
Close · a summary
Hence weber made the ideal type of beurocracy by characterising it. He suggested that it is the most efficient organisation of social work. However he was also aware about the downfall and negatives of beurocracy.