MAX WEBER- Ideal-Type Bureaucracy
Introduction-
The German sociologist Max Weber’s thoughts has influenced generations of scholars on bureaucracy and formal
organization. He occupies a central position in the bureaucratic model and tries to study it in a theoretical
framework. He was the first one to use and describe the term bureaucracy. It is also called the bureaucratic theory of
management or the Max Weber’s theory.
There are some factors which need to be considered before looking at his writings-
1. Weber’s urge for analysis and systemized study began at the age of 13.
2. He always preferred knowledge obtained through practical research rather than library.
3. He was progressive in outlook yet conservative at heart.
4. His writing his reflects social condition of Germany of his time.
Some of his major works and writings include-
Essays in sociology- 1946
The theory of social and economic organization- 1947 and
Economic and society: An outline of interpretive sociology- 1922.
Process of rationalization-
Weber measures the degree of rationalization in a society in two ways-
1. Positively rationalization is measured by the extent to which ideas gain systematic coherence and
consistency; negatively measured by displacement of the element of thought.
2. Secondly rationalization also to a great extent is based on concept of domination. The emergence of a
rational society depends on the way in which domination is exerted. For domination the ruler has to have
right to exercise power and others have to follow.
Typology of authority-
According to Weber the study of any organization must be based on theory of authority. (Why individuals obey
command?) While analyzing this, he makes a distinction between notion of power and authority.
Power- Weber uses ‘power’ to refer to ability to obey orders. He uses it to refer to acceptance of exercise of power
because it conforms to the values held by the subject.
A B
Exercise of power on B.
Authority- he says that in an authority system, orders are voluntarily obeyed by subordinates. His concept of
authority is based on legitimization and not on power.
According to Weber there are three sources for authority- (DIAGRAM)
1. Traditional authority system- authority is based on respect for eternal past and appropriateness of
customary way of doing things. It is based on belief in sanctity of immemorial traditions and legitimacy of
status of those exercising authority under them. Such a system is not rational. Example ancient tribe headed
by tribal chief.
2. Charismatic authority structure- this is based on devotion to the specific and exceptional sanctity, heroism or
exemplary character of an individual. It is based on personal qualities of the leader. Administration under
charismatic authority is irrational. Example- Indira Gandhi former PM of India.
3. Legal rational authority it is based on a belief in the legality of patterns of normative, rules and right of those
elevated to authority under such rules to issue commands. Obedience is rendered to the rules, norms and
procedures.
According to Weber out of these three types of authority, the legal rational type is adopted for efficiency of a nation
system. The first and the second authority system and not to be adopted in modern society.
Bureaucracy: Meaning
Bureaucracy simply means ‘Desk Government’. Vincent De Gourney, a French national was the first one who coined
the term ‘bureaucracy’ in 1745. For Weber, bureaucracy is an “administrative body of officials”, who all are needed
to bring out the efficiency in the organizations. The bureaucratic principles gave a scope to the organization to go
ahead with economic planning and maintain the stability in the market. Weber observes, “The capitalist system has
undeniably played a major role in the development of bureaucracy.
Weber’s Bureaucratic authority structure-
Weber defines an organization as an ordering of social relationships. There are three members in it-
1. Obedient people
2. The administrative staff that holds itself in the disposal of masters
3. The master who holds the power/ruler.
Weber identifies bureaucracy as most rational and efficient form of organization devised by man because-
1. there is control based on knowledge.
2. Bureaucracy is rational.
3. Has clearly defined spheres of competence
4. Operates due to analysed rules.
5. Has capability in its operation
Weber’s ideal organization- Weber believed that bureaucracy was the most efficient way to set up and manage an
organization and absolutely necessary for layer companies to achieve maximum productivity with many employees
and tasks. In an ideal bureaucracy everyone is treated equally, the responsibilities are clearly divided by each teams
according to area of expertise. He further argues bureaucracy’s efficient because of its precision, speed by which it
acts, consistency, availability of records, unity, rigorous coordination, minimization of interpersonal friction.
Characteristics of Bureaucracy-
1. Task specialization division of labour- Weber felt that our specialization promotes the timely completion of
work at the highest level of skill. Tasks therefore, in weber’s ideal organization are divided into categories
based on team members competencies and areas of expertise. Employees and departments have clearly
divided roles and expectations in which they are responsible solely for the labour they do best. This is
designed to maximize efficiency for the organization. Weber argues that sphere of competence (including
these three components of labour, power and responsibility) in an organization is important to not
undermine the organizational structure.
2. Principle of hierarchy- Weber advocated that management should be organized into layers, with each layer
being responsible for its teams performance. Weber believed that each layer of management should provide
supervision to the layers below them while being subjected to the control of those above them thus,
individuals at the top of the management hierarchy have the most authority, while those at the bottom have
the least power. This establishes accountability, communication and division of responsibility.
3. Formal selection rules- in the ideal organization, Weber believed that employees should be chosen based on
their technical skills and competencies, which are acquired through education, experience or training and no
other factor should be considered. Since the workers are paid for their services, and services are divided by
job position this means an employee salary is entirely dependent on this position. Contract terms are also
entirely determined by the organization and employees have no ownership interest in a company.
4. Impersonal detachment- Under Weber’s theory, relationships between employees are to be only
professional. The impersonal environment characterized by bureaucracies is designed to promote decision
making that is based only on facts and rational thinking. It prevents favouritism or nepotism as well as
involvement from outsiders or political influence, anything that could interfere with the mission of the
organization.
5. Efficient and uniform requirements- employees, argued Weber should always know exactly what is expected
of them. In the ideal organization, the rules are clearly defined and strictly enforced. This promotes
uniformity within the organization and keeps the company running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. If
new rules and requirements need to be introduced high level management or directors are responsible for
implementing and enforcing them.
6. Achievement based advancement- Weber felt that promotions within an organization should be based solely
on achievement, experience and technical qualifications. Personal favours, relationships or personality traits
should not factor into personal decisions.
7. Record keeping- according to Weber, leaders should take notes on every position, occurrence or concern
that involves the company. That way, they can refer to it later and handle any situations accordingly. For
instance managers should record every responsibility of every role in the company so there are no
misunderstandings. If an employee calls out sick or shows up late to a shift their manager should keep tabs
to ensure that there are no negative patterns.
8. Non bureaucratic head- Weber argues that the organization have non bureaucratic heads and he sets the
rules to be followed and decides which goals have to be achieved. These heads will help in maintaining a
complete balance in organizational setup. For example chancellor.
Critiquing Weber-
Weber’s bureaucracy is marked with several criticism which mainly revolve around the bureaucratic design,
authoritative norms, administrative efficiency, concept of rationality etc.
1. Robert K. Merton viewed that no doubt strict rules and regulations; and impersonality helps in maintaining
reliability and predictability of employee behaviour but it results in to rigid and formal structure in an
organization and loss of organizational effectiveness.
2. Philip Selznick – He argues that Weber emphasized on specialization and differentiation and the focus is on
decentralization and delegation of responsibilities. The outcome is that there is a goal displacement. There
are differentiated goals of different sub units and the goals of the organization as a whole takes a second
place as the focus of the employees is on the goal of their sub units.
3. Alvin Gouldner- he argues the Weberian model ignores the human touch because it does not include the
orientation of the members within the rules of the organization the rules may not be prepared or based on
the human benefits working in organization.
4. Lloyd Rudolph and Susanne Rudolph pointed out that, “Formal rationality (and technology) can contribute to
organizational efficiency, but can also contribute to organizational ineffectiveness by building up the sources
of alienation and resistance, and fuelling the struggle for power against authority. He failed to recognize the
informal relationship which plays an important role in the growth of an organization.
5. Chester Bernard and Herbert Simon- according to them informal organizations are necessary to the
operations of formal organization and Weber’s model completely ignored that. Often informal relations and
unofficial practices contribute to efficient operation of the organization.
6. Hummel argues that top to down structuring of works creates kind of passivity where employers wait
hierarchy to tell what to do. This creates lack of self- initiative.
Conclusion-
Max Weber gave the concept of ideal type of bureaucracy . After World War II most studies started from work of
Weber. In spite of all these criticisms we cannot deny the fact that weber’s model has gained widespread recognition
and continues to influence development and administration in modern times of both developed and developing
countries. Most criticism arose because of his formalism but on contrary in present time formal rationality has
increased manifold. Because weberian principles tend to rationalize the functioning of public organization his
writings have become source of inspiration for later scholars on organization.
