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Max Weber's Characterization Of Modern Bureaucracy

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The objective of this essay is to establish the relevance of Max Weber’s characterisation of modern bureaucracy in comprehending the workings of present day rational-legal organisations. I aim to achieve this objective by applying the key characteristics of modern bureaucracy, as identified by Weber, to rational-legal organisations of today. The term bureaucracy, ‘the rule of officials’, coined by Monsieur de Gournay in 1745, was initially used to refer only to government officials but later was extended to refer to large organisations in general. Weber, in his construction of an ideal type of bureaucracy identified 6 essential characteristics. I will now proceed to examine and compare each characteristic to the everyday workings of present …show more content…

For example, Competitive exams such as the Civil Services Exam are set so as to identify personnel possessing the expertise and specialized knowledge required for the different government posts. These persons, once identified are appointed different posts according to their exam results and interviews. The fifth feature Weber identifies is that official activity demands the full working capacity of the official, irrespective of the fact that his obligatory time in the bureau may be firmly delimited. This principle holds true for employees of modern day organisations till date. For example, the objective of an employee of an accounting firm, like Ernst & Young, when given the task of auditing a company’s accounts is to finish auditing them no matter how long the process takes. In such a situation his office hours may be from 9 to 5 but if the work takes him longer he is expected to work longer hours to complete the assigned …show more content…

For instance, there is a rule which requires all employees to maintain silence when a show is live. This rule cannot be applied by decree as per anyone’s whims and fancies as it is a there are certain rules and regulations all employees are expected to follow Knowledge of these rules represents a special technical learning which the officials possess. Also by this principle individuals cannot rule by decree they must apply an abstract, general rule. The overall analysis made of Weber’s ideal type of bureaucracy supports its relevance in present day rational legal organisations. However, it can be argued that Weber’s ideal type does not take into account the informal aspect of organisations. This aspect, not only introduces flexibility to an otherwise rigid system but also represents formal rules and procedures as ceremonial characters only for show. In conclusion, although we may find parts of Weber’s ideal type of bureaucracy in need of modification, its basic principles and key structures are still relevant to rational-legal organisations of

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