Bureaucracy Flashcards
Who recognised bureaucracy?
German sociologist Max weber
What is it?
- An organisations model thats been used internationally
- A large scale organisation composed of a hierarchy. In these offices,people have a certain responsibilities and must act in accord with the rules and written regulations
what is bureaucracy according to weber?
- A particular structure that was divided, co ordinated and controlled
- Emphasises speed,precision, efficiency seen due to the division of task,regulations, monitoring nd procedures
What were the three types of authority distinguished by Weber?
- Traditional Authority
- Charismatic authority
- Legitimate authority
What is involved in a traditional authority?
- The belief that the ruler has the natural right to rule
- This right was either god-given or by descent egg kings
What is involved in a Charismatic Leader?
-The belief that the ruler has some special, unique skills e.g film stars
What is Ritzers definition of bureaucracy?
A bureaucracy is a large scale organisation composed of a hierarchy of offices. In these offices, people have certain responsibilities and must act in accord with the rules, written regulations and means of compulsion exercised by those who occupy higher level positions
What is involved with legitimate authority?
Based on formal written rules that have the force of law e.g the law
- Carries the position of power and has predominated
Which authority does weber see as the most efficient?
- Legitimate authority
What are the positive and negatives of job specialisation in a bureaucracy?
- Positives are that it produces a efficient,repetiive working environment
- Negatives are the it inhibits job rotation
- Disenchantment
What are the positive and negatives of Authority hierarchy in a bureaucracy?
P = Know who is in charge and who to go to N= Prevents employees contributing to decisions and allows errors to be hidden
What are the positive and negatives of formal selection in a bureaucracy?
P = Most appropriate person is appointed to the position N= May restricted the growth of other employees
What are the positive and negatives of rules and procedures in a bureaucracy?
P= employees know whats expected N= Introduces delays and reduces creativity (disenchantment)
What is meant by disenchantment?
- The dehumanising effect of a bureaucracy where theres a loss of creativity and spontaneous behaviour
Characteristics of a bureaucracy according to weber?
- Well defined and formal hierarchy
- Competence not persoanlaity basis for job appointments
- Management remain/maintain impersonal relationships with employees to ensure unbiased environment
- Division of labour and work specialisation
- Management by rules and regulation
Why did weber say systematic processes and organised hierarchies are necessary?
- To maintain order, maximise efficiency and eliminate favouritism
How does Milgrams Shock study link to bureaucracy?
In 1963 Milgram conducted an obedience experiment where he wanted to see how far people would obey
- 65% went all the way up to the deadly shock level of 450v leading him to conclude that people follow orders given to them by someone of higher authority
- Meaning in the work place workers may feel pressurised into doing things they don’t feel comfortable doing.
What is meant by the iron cage?
This is a criticism of bureaucracy that comes from Weber and is sued to describe the increasing rationalisation of social life.
-He realized that the social actions of individuals became more based on rationality instead of being based on their values and tradition. Weber felt that humans would not be able to reach their full potential and in many ways confined because of bureaucratic rationalization and the steady acceleration of capitalism in our society
