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Introduction

According to Weber, what makes bureaucracies efficient? Do you agree? Introduction This essay set out to understand what, according to Weber makes bureaucracies efficient. To understand the efficiencies of Weber's bureaucracy, we have to understand why bureaucracies have formed and how they have formed. Furthermore, we have to understand their inherent characteristics which creates efficiencies and how this has caused by rationalisation. I will then look at the different types of rationalisation and understand which type of rationalisation Weber was referring to in the construction of the rational bureaucracy. Their characteristics have then to be analysed and thus understood how these efficiencies work and whilst analysing these characteristics, we have to see if there are any irrationalities or inefficiencies which can arise out of what Weber views as efficient. With this, I will then look at argument against Weber's Ideal Type of bureaucracy, and why some sociologists do not believe that Weber's bureaucracy is efficient. Thus, by looking at both arguments, I would be able to drawn a personal conclusion. Types of Bureaucracy and their Functions Bureaucracies form, according to Weber, primarily because there are pressures by the capitalist market economy which demands that administration either private or public "be ...read more.

Middle

Once a "pure" bureaucracy is established, it is among the hardest of social structures to defeat. Where the bureaucratisation of the organisation has been completely carried through, a form of power relation is established that is nearly indestructible. Thus the bureaucratic system is seen to be much more efficient because each employee of the organisation knows precisely what their duties are within the organisation, and there fore many tasks will be performed a lot quicker and more efficiently. The clear-cut rules set by the bureaucratic system also enables the organisation to respond readily to demands that are set and make decision making easier. Bureaucratic systems have a greater sense of direction and purpose than other types of organisation structure and this helped by the hierarchy of positions and well developed rule system that is consistent in a bureaucracy. The clear-cut criteria of a bureaucratic system enables the organisation to appoint successors when an employee leaves with out little trouble, and therefore causes as little disruption as possible. Bureaucracies also enable individual cases to be evaluated in terms of well-developed rule-system, and offer the organisation consistency on decision-making and to a certain extern prevents preferential treatment. ...read more.

Conclusion

Conclusion In conclusion, bureaucracy is efficient, according to Weber, because of rationalisation. It is the process of rationalisation that leads to the construction on a rational-bureaucratic system. This bureaucratic system has ingrained characteristics of efficiency according to Weber. However, it is argued whether these characteristic are inherently efficient or does it lead to a myriad of inefficiencies. I would agree with Weber that bureaucracies are efficient, in his context, but his ideal type of bureaucracy is utopian and unable to fit in to the pragmatic world we are in today. Efficiency is a relative term, and thus to be able to answer whether Weber's bureaucratic is system is efficient, is to judge it relative to other systems. Weber advocated a Professional Bureaucracy which characteristic made is a rational body, where the organisation has certain goals and objectives in mind. Relative to other bodies, such as a patrimonial or honorific bureaucracies, a professional bureaucracy seems to be able to reach its goals through more stable and continuous means. Thus, I believe that Weber's doctrine seems to be more efficient relative to others. However, this does not mean that Weber's rational bureaucracy is efficient but rather it is better, relative to the rest. ...read more.

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