Bureaucratic Structure
Introduction
Bureaucracy today is an integral part of most modern organizations. Whether public or private, organizations all across the world implement systems and regulations in their daily procedures which are enforced by appointed employees. Although bureaucracy has existed in some form or another for hundreds of years in human society, our point of departure will be the definition presented by Max Weber. In short, Weber defined bureaucracy as an organizational system with a clearly defined chain of command, where employees set aside their own personal opinions in favor of neutrality and impartialness. Rules are clearly defined and followed, to ensure the elimination of nepotism and the employee is required to adhere to the orders of their superiors who in turn have to operate under the structure and rules of the organization (Weber, 1946). When looking at how bureaucracy is used and implemented across the globe, it is clear that there are huge differences in how efficiently organizations and governments are being run, despite the fact that they are all working within a bureaucratic structure. In this paper we will look at public administration and question whether or not the bureaucratic ideal of the impersonal worker is still valid today. Is the strict adherence to regulations and formalities a concept which is no longer needed in our modern society?
Traditional bureaucracy
To many, bureaucracy is seen as a very stringent and almost soulless system, which does not allow for personal expression and renders the bureaucrat as nothing more than a cog in the machine of an organization. One will often hear the term ‘red tape’ (referring to the tape which was once used to bind official documents) being used in context where the administration of a certain matter is handled with a perceived excess of regulations and formalities. As the foundation of bureaucracy is strict adherence to rules, it is easy to see how it can be seen as an obstacle to personal
Bureaucracy today is an integral part of most modern organizations. Whether public or private, organizations all across the world implement systems and regulations in their daily procedures which are enforced by appointed employees. Although bureaucracy has existed in some form or another for hundreds of years in human society, our point of departure will be the definition presented by Max Weber. In short, Weber defined bureaucracy as an organizational system with a clearly defined chain of command, where employees set aside their own personal opinions in favor of neutrality and impartialness. Rules are clearly defined and followed, to ensure the elimination of nepotism and the employee is required to adhere to the orders of their superiors who in turn have to operate under the structure and rules of the organization (Weber, 1946). When looking at how bureaucracy is used and implemented across the globe, it is clear that there are huge differences in how efficiently organizations and governments are being run, despite the fact that they are all working within a bureaucratic structure. In this paper we will look at public administration and question whether or not the bureaucratic ideal of the impersonal worker is still valid today. Is the strict adherence to regulations and formalities a concept which is no longer needed in our modern society?
Traditional bureaucracy
To many, bureaucracy is seen as a very stringent and almost soulless system, which does not allow for personal expression and renders the bureaucrat as nothing more than a cog in the machine of an organization. One will often hear the term ‘red tape’ (referring to the tape which was once used to bind official documents) being used in context where the administration of a certain matter is handled with a perceived excess of regulations and formalities. As the foundation of bureaucracy is strict adherence to rules, it is easy to see how it can be seen as an obstacle to personal
Bibliography: du Gay, Paul (2005) ‘Bureaucracy and Liberty’ in Paul du Gay (ed.) The Values of Bureaucracy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 41-62 Goodsell, C. (2005) ‘The Bureau as Unit of Governance’ in Paul du Gay (ed.) The Values of Bureaucracy, Oxford, Oxford University Press, pp. 17-40 Hobbes, Thomas (1651) ‘Leviathan’ reprinted with an Essay by the Late W.G. Pogson Smith, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1909 The Economist (2012) ‘Losing its magic’ Mar 24th 2012, Print edition The Economist (2012a) ‘Aim higher’ Sep 29th 2012, Print edition Weber, Max (1946) ‘From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology’ Oxford University Press, New York , translated & edited by H.H. Gerth & C. Wright Mills