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(PDF) The Concept of Bureaucracy by Max Weber

   

Added on  2021-06-15

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Running head: MAX WEBER AND BUREAUCRACYMax Weber and BureaucracyName of the Student:Name of the University:Author’s Note:

1MAX WEBER AND BUREAUCRACY“Bureaucracy is not an obstacle to democracy but an inevitable complement to it.”The above quoted line of Joseph A. Schumpeter is a pertinent account of the benefitwhich the machinery of bureaucracy provides to the system of democracy. It is significant tonote that the concept of bureaucracy has been in place since the traditional times however inthe present times the concept of bureaucracy has become the topic of much discussion on thescore of the corruption and other evil affects which has got hold of the political systems ofthe various nations of the world (Shafritz, Ott and Jang 2015). Furthermore, it is important tonote that the political system of the various nations themselves has undergone transformationin the recent times and therefore it is obvious that the bureaucratic systems of those nationswill undergo transformation along with them (Shafritz, Ott and Jang 2015). However, in theopinion of the famous author Honore de Balzac the major problem associated with themachinery of bureaucracy is the fact that “Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated bypygmies”. This essay will discuss about the concept of bureaucracy and also about thevarious societal functions as well as dysfunctions of the same machinery through the lens ofthe ideas propounded by Max Weber.The concept of bureaucracy refers to “a body of non-elective government officialsand an administrative policy-making group”. In other words, the concept of bureaucracy canbe defined as “an organization or a structure with written rules, position, communication,records which has hierarchy authority and clear division of labor” (Henslin et al. 2015).Furthermore, “bureaucracy refers to any organization based on procedures, rules, elements, inpersonal relationships, specific goals and specialized with the hierarchical system of power”(Sullivan 2009). Therefore, it can be said that the machinery of bureaucracy forms animportant part of the political systems of the various nations in the present times (Henslin etal. 2015). It is significant to note that in most of the democratic and other countries of theworld most of the decision making of the nation is vested with the bureaucracy of the nation

2MAX WEBER AND BUREAUCRACYwhich is elected by the state and not by the general citizens of the nation during the generalelections (Henslin et al. 2015). Thus, it can be said that the role played by the bureaucracy inthe present day world is a significant one.Max Weber is known as one of the “biggest influences in political science,philosophy and sociology” (Fry and Raadschelders 2013). However, in the present day worldhe is known for his ideas as well as his contribution towards the field of bureaucracy (Fry andRaadschelders 2013). It is significant to note that in his ideas about the concept ofbureaucracy Weber differed widely from his contemporaries and other experts (La Palombara2015). In the opinion of Weber, “the ideal form of administration – especially in agovernment sector – was bureaucracy. He believed that if carefully managed, a bureaucraticadministration can lead to effective decision-making, optimum use of resources andsuccessful accomplishment of organizational goals” (Weber 2013). Furthermore, he providesa list of six essential features or qualities which should form an important part of thebureaucracy of any particular nation (La Palombara 2015). The six listed points or featuresprovided by Weber related to the concept of bureaucracy are “A Hierarchical Structure,Selection, Qualifications and Careers, Specification of Laws and Management by Rules,Separation of Official and Personal Property, Impersonal and Functional Specialty andDivision of Labor” (Weber 2013). In the opinion of Weber these six features or points are thenecessary or the essential part of a bureaucracy and helps in the making of an effectivebureaucratic system (Weber 2013). Therefore, it can be said that the “bureaucratic theory ofMax Weber” makes the various bureaucratic system not only an important part of the variousmodern day organizations as well as nations but an indispensible part of them (Fry andRaadschelders 2013). The concept of bureaucracy in the present times has gained negative connotationsalthough there are some positive aspects of the machinery of bureaucracy as well (La

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