The Concept of Rationality

Classical Social Theory essay. Rationalisation (Weber)

The concept of Rationality is defined as the ‘Preoccupation with calculating the most efficient means to achieve one’s goals’ (Bilton et al, 2002. Pg31) rather than ‘motivations derived from custom, tradition or emotion’ (Encyclopaedia, 2003). Rationalisation involves concepts such as logic, calculation and efficiency,- fundamental aspects of Modernity as proposed by Max Weber. Weber believed that modernity involves ‘The rational application of Scientific method to all sectors of life, the growth of administrative regulations and bureaucratic surveillance, and the erosion of traditional values, symbols and beliefs’(Giddens, A, 1997) ‘The Great Transformation’ (Polanyi,1973) is a term describing the vast ‘social, economic, political and cultural changes in the 18th and 19th Century, resulting in a new form of social life’ (Bilton et al, 2002) contrasting with traditional ways and resulting in Modernity. Modernity involved new forms of economic activity, and organisation of labour such as the introduction of industrial mechanisation replacing traditional agricultural methods. The Period of ‘Enlightenment’ demonstrated new thought processes and increases in the use and application of science, medicine and technology (Bilton et al,2002), which are important aspects in the concept of rationalisation.
Weber provided evidence that rationalisation/rationality was key to the rise of Modernity. Firstly, emerging nation-states provided protection over (their)citizens, rationalising judicial systems in pursuit of Justice. Secondly, increases in industrial mechanical advances meant more efficient means of achieving production and profit. The rational application of knowledge and science lead to important discoveries, promoting an association of rationality with achievement, knowledge and understanding (Bilton et al,2002). Therefore rationality was a concept associated with prestige and prosperity inevitably going to prosper and continue in contributing to Modernity. For example, in traditional societies, illness and recovery was as much the responsibility of the individual-doctors ' intervention was rarely seen as effective (Bilton et al, 2002). However, increased scientific and medical advances allowed modern doctors to gain status and prestige in Society (Bilton et al 2002 pg27). Weber compared a prominently bureaucratically dominated world (arising through rationalisation in Modernity) to an 'iron cage ' (Milner.A, Browitt.J, 2002) where people are restricted and trapped by strict organisation, and a need of efficient achieval of goals. Emerging modernity paralleled the rise of bureaucratisation and Weber described rationality as a key factor. Bureaucracy involves 'hierarchal organisation of roles ' and the need to follow clear sets of rules. Citizens are expected to follow clearly designated roles, disregarding their own feelings, for the sake of efficient bureaucracy (Bilton et al pg31)). Weber emphasised the negative aspect of Modernity: that over-rationalisation could expose societies to over-surveillance from military and state agencies/powers (Giddens.A,1997). For example, through rationalisation the nation-state may try and punish citizens who disregard its laws. Similarly, the state has the right to survey individuals, controlling information held, in the 'Big Brother ' effect. The Capitalist system involves an increased organisation and regulation of workers, i.e. breaks are timed and restricted in the mindset of ‘time is money’. Therefore workers are no longer seen as individuals but tools in which to achieve goals and reach targets, and governed by the clock. The idea arises that a goal-orientated rationalisation can actually be contradictorily inefficient: George Ritzer highlighted how the modern 'Fast Food Restaurant ' is a good indicator of the dangers of rationalisation. He stated that just like 'McDonalds ' rationalisation is reliant on efficiency, calculation, predictability, product control workers and their environment, and that the preoccupation with rationality by producing poor quality predictable food actually detracts from idea of eating out (Bilton et al, 2002 pg31-32). Furthermore, Ritzer 's approach could be applied to the 'Primarkation ' of society 's shopping habits in today’s society, the purchasing of cheap, poor-quality, budget items is rationalisation taken to the extreme as people are preoccupied with efficiency of purchase whilst not realising products are of poor quality and will not last as long. In conclusion, it is true to say that rationalisation has helped to achieve and accelerate positive growth from traditional to modern-day society. However, as Weber states a society preoccupied with rationality, order and efficiency could impose new stresses on society and an ‘iron cage’(Milner.A, Browitt.J, 2002), dehumanised society preoccupied with instant gratification and goal-achievement can arise.

Bibliography
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Bilton et al. (2002). Introductory sociology. 4th Edition. Hampshire:Palgrave Macmillan. Pg 31
Bilton et al. (2002). Introductory sociology. 4th Edition. Hampshire:Palgrave Macmillan. Pg 31.
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