Theories Bureaucracy

1 theories

1.1 karl marx
1.2 john stuart mill
1.3 max weber
1.4 woodrow wilson
1.5 ludwig von mises
1.6 robert k. merton

theories
karl marx

karl marx theorized role , function of bureaucracy in critique of hegel s philosophy of right, published in 1843. in philosophy of right, hegel had supported role of specialized officials in public administration, although never used term bureaucracy himself. marx, contrast, opposed bureaucracy. marx posited while corporate , government bureaucracy seem operate in opposition, in actuality mutually rely on 1 exist. wrote corporation civil society s attempt become state; bureaucracy state has made civil society.

john stuart mill

writing in 1860s, political scientist john stuart mill theorized successful monarchies bureaucracies, , found evidence of existence in imperial china, russian empire, , regimes of europe. mill referred bureaucracy distinct form of government, separate representative democracy. believed bureaucracies had advantages, importantly accumulation of experience in conduct affairs. nevertheless, believed form of governance compared poorly representative government, relied on appointment rather direct election. mill wrote bureaucracy stifles mind, , bureaucracy tends become pedantocracy.

max weber


–max weber

the german sociologist max weber first formally study bureaucracy , works led popularization of term.. in 1922 essay bureaucracy,[1], published in magnum opus economy , society, weber described many ideal-typical forms of public administration, government, , business. ideal-typical bureaucracy, whether public or private, characterized by:

hierarchical organization
formal lines of authority (chain of command)
a fixed area of activity
rigid division of labor
regular , continuous execution of assigned tasks
all decisions , powers specified , restricted regulations
officials expert training in fields
career advancement dependent on technical qualifications
qualifications evaluated organizational rules, not individuals

weber listed several preconditions emergence of bureaucracy, including increase in amount of space , population being administered, increase in complexity of administrative tasks being carried out, , existence of monetary economy requiring more efficient administrative system. development of communication , transportation technologies make more efficient administration possible, , democratization , rationalization of culture results in demands equal treatment.

although not admirer of bureaucracy, weber saw bureaucratization efficient , rational way of organizing human activity , therefore key rational-legal authority, indispensable modern world.. furthermore, saw key process in ongoing rationalization of western society. weber saw bureaucracy, however, threat individual freedoms, , ongoing bureaucratization leading polar night of icy darkness , in increasing rationalization of human life traps individuals in soulless iron cage of bureaucratic, rule-based, rational control. weber s critical study of bureaucratization of society became 1 of enduring parts of work. weber many aspects of modern public administration based on work, , classic, hierarchically organized civil service of continental type called weberian civil service .

woodrow wilson

writing academic while professor @ bryn mawr college, woodrow wilson s essay study of administration argued bureaucracy professional cadre, devoid of allegiance fleeting politics. wilson advocated bureaucracy part of political life methods of counting house part of life of society; machinery part of manufactured product. is, @ same time, raised far above dull level of mere technical detail fact through greater principles directly connected lasting maxims of political wisdom, permanent truths of political progress.

wilson did not advocate replacement of rule governed, advised that, administrative questions not political questions. although politics sets tasks administration, should not suffered manipulate offices . essay became foundation study of public administration in america.

ludwig von mises

in 1944 work bureaucracy, austrian economist ludwig von mises compared bureaucratic management profit management. profit management, argued, effective method of organization when services rendered may checked economic calculation of profit , loss. when, however, service in question can not subjected economic calculation, bureaucratic management necessary. did not oppose universally bureaucratic management; on contrary, argued bureaucracy indispensable method social organization, method law can made supreme, , protector of individual against despotic arbitrariness. using example of catholic church, pointed out bureaucracy appropriate organization code of conduct not subject change. went on argue complaints bureaucratization refer not criticism of bureaucratic methods themselves, intrusion of bureaucracy spheres of human life. mises saw bureaucratic processes @ work in both private , public spheres; however, believed bureaucratization in private sphere occur consequence of government interference. according him, must realized strait jacket of bureaucratic organization paralyzes individual s initiative, while within capitalist market society innovator still has chance succeed. former makes stagnation , preservation of inveterate methods, latter makes progress , improvement.

robert k. merton

american sociologist robert k. merton expanded on weber s theories of bureaucracy in work social theory , social structure, published in 1957. while merton agreed aspects of weber s analysis, noted dysfunctional aspects of bureaucracy, attributed trained incapacity resulting on conformity . believed bureaucrats more defend own entrenched interests act benefit organization whole pride in craft makes them resistant changes in established routines. merton stated bureaucrats emphasize formality on interpersonal relationships, , have been trained ignore special circumstances of particular cases, causing them come across arrogant , haughty .