Principals of Bureaucracy Max Weber (1864-1920) Principals of Bureaucracy

Biography A German political economist sociologist and lawyer Is one of the founders of the modern study of sociology and public administration. Is the representative of the administrative school of management and developed the final classical approach.

Achievements Weber’s most known contributions are often referred to as the “Weber Thesis”, they are: “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” essay, published in the United States in 1947, which described a model for management that Weber considered ideal. “Politics as a Vocation” scientific work, where he presented the definition of the state as an entity which clamed a monopoly on a legitimate use of physical force. This definition became pivotal to the study of modern Western political science. “Economy and Society” book, in which Weber analyzed bureaucracy . These analysis are still central to the modern study of organizations.

Bureaucracy Max Weber’s primary interest was the establishment of an overall management system for large organizations that would promote efficiency, consistency, and fairness. This strivings resulted in development of the notion bureaucracy. According to Weber bureaucracies are goal- oriented organizations designed according to rational principals in order to efficiently attain their goals.

Weber’s Ideal-Type Bureaucracy Office hierarchy and levels of graded authority Impersonality Written rules of conduct Promotion based on achievement Specialized division of labor Efficiency

Ideal –type’s Security

Contributions Large-scale planning and coordination became possible. Routine organizational activities performed in an efficient way. Eliminated subjective judgment by employees and management. Emphasized position rather than the person.

Limitations Limit organizational flexibility and slow decision making. Ignore the importance of people and interpersonal relationships. Rules may become ends in themselves. Accumulation of power can lead to authoritarian management. Difficult to dismantle.

Dilemma of Bureaucracy The decision can’t be made by large numbers of people in an efficient manner. Without precisely set rules it is impossible to achieve goals. The functioning of the organization after losses even in managerial staff. Highly rational technical efficiency Bureaucracy tends to result in oligarchy. Excessive red tape. Once bureaucracy is established it becomes difficult to dismantle. What is good for bureaucracy is not always good for the society

In his own words: On Bureaucracy “No machinery in the world functions so precisely as this apparatus of men and, moreover, so cheaply… Rational calculation… reduces every worker to a cog in this bureaucratic machine and, seeing himself in this light, he will merely ask how to transform himself into a somewhat bigger cog… The passion for bureaucratization drives us to despair”