Rationality and the "Ideal Type" of Bureaucracy: the Contribution of Max Weber.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Rationality and

the "Ideal Type" of Bureaucracy: the Contribution of Max Weber

Andrew Brand

Work & Organisations Essay

Seminar Group 20

Tutor: Bernadette Downes

Andrew Brand

Seminar Group: 20

Essay: Rationality and

the "Ideal Type" of Bureaucracy: the Contribution of Max Weber

Word Count: 1,902

During the course of this essay, the main topic I shall be discussing is bureaucracy, and most prominently the work and findings of Max Weber in that field. I will also be looking at the related issues of rationality (and the process of rationalisation), and Weber's 'ideal type' of bureaucracy as well. The relationships between these concepts and their effects on and within modern society will also be investigated.

Max Weber (1864 - 1920) was a German sociologist and philosopher who is primarily remembered today for his investigations into the social science of organisations. He was particularly interested in the concepts of bureaucracy and rationality, and to a lesser extent, power and authority. Kasler (1988, p.ix) believes Weber is "universally acknowledged as one of the most significant figures in the development of modern social science."

Weber's research