Max Weber's Bureaucracy Model Research Paper

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Public Administration

Max Weber is a strong supporter and advocate for bureaucracy which he defines as "the means of carrying community action over into rationally ordered social action… an instrument of socializing relations of power, bureaucracy has been and is a power instrument of first order." (Weber, 1946). His point-of-view is however debatable with the question whether public administrators should be restricted to only laid down rules in the discharge of their duties as or should they have some amount of discretion always arising. In his argument, Weber states that there are three types of authority that facilitate evolution of societies, these are traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational authority. He bases his concept on the legal-rational authority, this authority believes in the legitimacy of normative rules and that those elevated to authority through such rules have a right to issue commands. His presentation is that of an ideal bureaucracy whose major features are division of labor, hierarchical order, well trained staff, written documents, officials working at full capacity, and the application of impersonal rules (Crozier, 1964). The challenge is that an organization's ideal work or most efficient performance may not always be achieved through these ingredients. However, the reality is that restricting administrators to laid down rules has its merits and demerits.

Hierarchical order, as a feature of bureaucracy, is essential in creating a gap between superiors and subordinates, on the other hand, impersonal rules brings about the confinement to prescribed conduct by legal rules.

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This is a merit in the sense that systematic control of subordinates by superiors is facilitated which eliminates arbitrariness and personal favoritism (Stillman, 2000). When administrators are restricted to laid down rules, irrational feelings and sentiments are not given a chance, this will enable the organization to achieve its goals. In addition to this, there is also some equality that is dispensed when applying the concept of bureaucracy. In organizations where rules are followed strictly, there is no sense of bias of favor in the operations, there is always the professional decision maker who is relied on entirely. This emphasizes on professionalism rather than personal choices which enhances rational objectivity.

Even though Weber believes that strict adherence to rules enhances rationality and efficiency, there are chances that irrationality and inefficiency may result. There four main characteristics of bureaucracy that limits its application; bureaucracy neglects informal organization, operates on ideals, dehumanizes, and does not easily relate with democracy (Merton, 1952). The model of bureaucracy presented by Weber is idealistic which he believes is applicable anywhere at any time. This is not true since it cannot meet the social and….....

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