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Max Weber  

A Definition of Bureaucracy  

Bureaucracy means, ?rule by the administration, who are given authority to carry out tasks within a given area of competence/responsib ility.  

Max Weber?s contribution is seen as original and non- pejorative.  

Weber argues that organisations are ways of co- ordinating the activities of human beings.  

According to Weber the organization depends heavily on the control if information.  

The written word.  

Bureaucracy is often seen as a negative aspect of organisations.  

It is often condemned and despised and insultingly referred to as ?red tape?.  

Franz Kafka and George Orwell.  

Weber and Orwell both see the future as being very ominous, with bureaucracy moving into all spheres of human life.  

Weber was primarily concerned with the relationship between bureaucracy and democracy.  

Is his concern a legitimate one?  

Weber?s view of Bureaucracy
A.Gidden?s 1997  

Initially bureaucracy was a term used in reference to government officials but is now used to refer to large organisations in general.  

Some authors refer to bureaucracy as the most precise and effective means of administration. Not merely ?red tape?.  

Weber?s account is some where in between these two distinct views.  

Weber saw bureaucracy as a central point to the development of the rationalization of society.  

Traditional societies did have a lose notion of bureaucracy but it has excelled in modern times.  

Rather than relying on traditional patterns of behaviour people are basing their decisions on rational thought. The most efficient.  

It (bureaucracy) is inevitable according to Weber. It is the only way to deal with large- scale social systems.  

In order to study the origins and nature of the expansion of bureaucracy , we need to understand Weber?s Ideal type of Bureaucracy.  

Weber?s Ideal Type of Bureaucracy  

Hierarchy of Authority - Takes on the shape of a pyramid. Chain of command.?Official duties?. Control and supervision.  

Written Rules - Routine at the bottom of the pyramid. The top is more flexible.  

Officials are full- time and salaried - Definite and fixed salary attached. Career goals set within the organization. Merit.  

Separation between work and private life - These two spheres are distinct and geographically separated.  

Non-ownership of organization - Officials to do not own the desks, chairs etc..  

Models of Bureaucracy  

A conceptual device used to help make sense of the social world.  

Model building, according to Beetham, helps to simplify the the process of inquiry. "to help define, evaluate or explain this complexity" .  

Three purposes of Models according to Beetham.  

Bureaucracy 1 cont..

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