Background
Many scholars have described rationalization and the question of individual freedom as the main theme of Weber's work. Through rationalization, Weber understood the individual cost-benefit calculation and the wider, bureaucratic structure of organizations, which generally was the opposite of understanding reality through mystery and magic (disenchantment). The fate of our time is characterized by rationalization, intellectualization and, above all, the "disenchantment of the world. "
What Weber depicted was not only the secularization of Western culture, but also the development of modern societies from the viewpoint of rationalization. New structures of society were marked by two intermeshing systems that had taken shape around the organizational cores of capitalist enterprise and bureaucratic state apparatus. Weber understood this process as the institutionalization of purposive-rational economic and administrative action. To the degree that everyday life was affected by cultural and societal rationalization, traditional forms of life differentiated primarily according to one's trade were dissolved.
Models of Bureaucracy
Many aspects of modern public administration go back to Weber. Weberian civil service is hierarchically organized and viewed as the most efficient and rational way of organizing. Bureaucratization for Weber was the key part of the rational-legal authority. He saw it as the key process in the ongoing rationalization of Western society.
Weberian characteristics of bureaucracy are clear, defined roles and responsibilities, a hierarchical structure and respect for merit. The acquisition model of bureaucracy, meanwhile, can incite succession of roles and power between different bureaucratic departments. At the same time, monopolistic bureaucracy does not provide room for competition within each bureaucratic department.
Weberian Bureaucracy
Weber described many ideal types of public administration and government in his masterpiece Economy and Society (1922). His critical study of the bureaucratisation of society became one of the most enduring parts of his work. It was Weber who began the studies of bureaucracy and whose works led to the popularisation of this term. Many aspects of modern public administration go back to him and a classic, hierarchically organised civil service of the Continental type is called "Weberian civil service". [98] As the most efficient and rational way of organising, bureaucratisation for Weber was the key part of the rational-legal authority and furthermore, he saw it as the key process in the ongoing rationalisation of the Western society.
Weber listed several preconditions for the emergence of the bureaucracy: The growth in space and population being administered, the growth in complexity of the administrative tasks being carried out and the existence of a monetary economy – these resulted in a need for a more efficient administrative system. [99] Development of communication and transportation technologies made more efficient administration possible (and popularly requested) and democratisation and rationalisation of culture resulted in demands that the new system treat everybody equally.
Weber's ideal bureaucracy is characterised by hierarchical organisation, by delineated lines of authority in a fixed area of activity, by action taken (and recorded) on the basis of written rules, by bureaucratic officials needing expert training, by rules being implemented neutrally and by career advancement depending on technical qualifications judged by organisations, not by individuals
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