Classical Theory - Max Weber & Bureaucracy PDF

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Instructor: Tom Beamish...

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JAN 29 Classical Theory - Max Weber & Bureaucracy Max Weber (1864-1920) Bureaucracy = effective strategy to control people and outcomes A powerful, rational tool Impressed with how it achieved goals, etc. But felt that bureaucracy had a negative effect on creativity, etc. In between Marx and Taylor Mega-Bureaucracy Weber was interested in a new kind of system (the rise of State administrations, specifically Prussian mega-bureaucracies, but also capitalist firms) that was formed by a new kind of authority that was founded on a legal, rational basis Has not been seen in history before Distinguished FO’s from social forms (family, religious groups, etc.) Methodology for FO 1. Contractual basis 2. Stable, yet changeable internal structures 3. Relies on formal rationality 4. Specific goals Method: Historical-Comparisons Wanted to understand where bureaucracy derived Compared how societies had socially organized people across time and space (ie. India, China, etc.) Where these systems arose, if they differed, etc. Weber’s Fascination and Comparison; 2 distinctions that made Europe exceptional 1. The Role of Legitimate Authority Legitimate Authority vs. Coercion Why do some people get to tell some people what to do? Why do those people generally do what they’re told? Weber observed that people generally complied w/their social arrangements of their societies; Open defiance is rare, but compliance is common → The need for coercion is rare Is compliance based on fear and coercion or is it based on cooperation and ?? → Weber ruled that coercion is not central Coercion is too expensive (You have to watch the watchers) Inefficient way to run a society Compliance is a thing bc people believe in its authority; A belief that that person has the right to say and tell another person what to do Willing participation is the way to elongate the life of a society 2. 3 Types/Forms of Legitimate Authority - rests on the belief systems of the people who comply Bureaucracy - The Ideal Type: captures the essential features of something, that then allows one to make comparisons 1. Traditional Authority reflects personal loyalty based on a common background and typically involves patrimonial, nepotistic, and gerontocratic exercise of authority Patrimonial = an inheritance from a father or male ancestor; Grace - A gift from above Nepotistic = Favoritism shown towards relatives and friends; Not based on merit Gerontocratic = A system of govt in which elders are chosen as rulers Most common form in human history “Rules as the head of the family” Society is also uncomfortable with this type of authority bc it violates the basic principles of a bureaucratic administration Ex. Bush and Bush Jr. as president Ex. Trump’s cabinet is filled w/family members 2. Charismatic Authority is based on a “certain” quality by which a person is said to embody or be endowed w/supernatural, superhuman, or exceptional powers of some kind Usually the one that disrupts tradition Typically short lived Movement ends when the leader ends bc that authority is based on that person’s charisma Not systematic No way to know who is going to be charismatic at what time → Power Struggle Characteristics: Magnetic leader that provides the basis of authority Followers Hierarchy is based on the proximity to that magnetic leader 3. Legal-Rational Authority (LRA): Founded on a belief in standards, rules, and procedures – “qualifications” – that provide leadership w/authority and staff/members as a reason for compliance Not vested in any particular individual Unusual and recent in its emergence Reflects a legalistic aspect; There is a basis for the claim Not arbitrary or capricious Qualifications reflect LRA bc that is the basis for the application of authority Specific conditions for the exercise of authority Ex. classroom Specific rules for the application of authority

Ex. responsibilities for a course Specific procedures for exerting authority We all follow steps bc we believe it’s the proper way Ex. if a professor catches a student cheating, the professor can’t just say “You’re fired” 3 basic beliefs that found LRA Made bureaucratic organizations possible 1. The Rule of Law 2. The Superiority of Reasoned Thinking People relied on reasoned thinking to make their decisions vs. using their gut or ‘dogma’ Reasoned Thinking > Charisma 3. Belief in Principles and Proceduralism (Over Persons/Traditions) Under legal authority, Legitimate command & obedience reflects adherence to these principles as reflected in the rules, norms of conduct, and procedures that transcend any individual person Procedure (ie. Court of Law) From Beliefs to Methodology Belief in LRA coupled extreme competition provided the impetus for the rationalization of administration from which emerged bureaucracy, characterized by the following ideals: 1. Official Jurisdiction - there is a separation between authority and person 2. Principles of Hierarchy 3. Specialization 4. Full Time Activity 5. Formal Rules 6. Vocation & Careerism 7. Merit & Expertise 8. Tenure Rationalize = Systematize More and more it’s about reason, an organization Formal Rationality Best Means; Most effective in reaching end goal Substantive Rationality Right Means Right vs. Wrong Moral vs. Immoral Implications, the Bureaucratic Form Emergence of LRA coincided w/the rise of bureaucratic administration and enlightenment and the emergence of scientific technology Achieving goals People begin believing in working for a wage -

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The Advantages of Bureaucracy Bureaucracy > Other Social-Organizational Forms 1. Most efficient, and thus more effective: less effort, more output Effective means of goal attainment yet devised by humankind as it reflects the pursuit of “best” and “quickest” means to achieve a desired end Ex. assembly line, McDonalds, Ford 2. Predictability Predictability enhances ?? Standardization: systematically organized the same every time Through the formation of routine, a clear division of responsibility and authority, and well entrenched rules and regulations, bureaucracies operate in a highly predictable manner → Enhances timeliness, measurability, and with these, goal attainment 3. Calculability (Numerical Accountability: Calculating, Counting, and Quantifying) Bureaucracies enhance performance by being able to track results → Goal Achievement; the achievement of “end results” 4. Control Bureaucracies enhance the level of control an organization can exert as reflected in supervision, established rules, regulations, and internal structures, timing, quantification, and even mechanization → Achieve desired goals and agendas Internal behaviors and ?? Ultimately why they were pursued, rationalized Bureaucratic forms seek to control outcome That’s why Marx saw them as oppressive That’s why Weber was ambivalent Overtime, machines can be substituted in place of people Machines > People Bc they can be controlled and calculated Machines reflect the intention of bureaucracies Weber’s Lament: The Irrationality of Rationality? “The Iron Cage” Weber lamented the great loss of creativity and even morality he saw associated w/bureaucratic life

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Caged us as it penetrates deeper into our lives Bureaucracy precludes playfulness, creativity, emotional and moral decisions Human beings are not rational computers People don’t have a choice but to get organized bc people who are more organized have an advantage

Summary Bureaucracy reflects the emergence of a belief in legal-rational authority (LRA) and its codification that have enabled heightened levels of control over people and the environment as reflected in higher efficiencies, predictability, and calculability System came out of a set of convictions, at a time of great competition Overtime, convictions were rationalized Began to push out other forms of social organization...