Weber used the term, ‘Iron Cage’ in relation to bureaucracy Essay Example

through merit, gaining qualifications and training through hard work in order to be allocated to particular roles. Taking this view of bureaucracy into account, Weber developed ideas on rationalization, authority and democracy."Rationalization means the organization of social and economic life according to principles of efficiency, on the basis of technical knowledge" Giddens, A. (2006:114), rather than individuals, making decisions and living their lives based on traditional or religious beliefs, perhaps relying on other spiritual forces to help guide their judgements, they are increasingly relying upon rational, calculated and controlled decisions to act upon, which may benefit society as a result, although individually, behaviour and feelings may be more negative due to having less freedom of choice.

 Read about Factors you should consider to understand the threat in your environmentAccording to Weber, there are two main types of rationality, the first includes value rational actions; "means have no practical relationship to the end, but are simply a way of acting out, of realising, a value the actor holds" Cuff, E.C. Sharrock, W.W. and D.

W. Francis, (2007:54), here, Weber suggests that an individual, for example, may carry out an act that has no practical use but more of a valuable use, a perception of how things should be, such as gaining dignity or a sense of righteousness. A common example given is that of the captain going down with his sinking ship:"To someone who believes that there are more important things than practical outcomes, and that there are, indeed, more important things than human life, appears as a rational course of action, as the only one

who can honourably be taken in such a situation." Hughes, J.

A. Sharrock, W.W. and P.J. Martin, (2007:105).

The second type of rationality includes a practical approach, instrumentally rational action:"The working out of the best, most effective means of getting towards the end that one desires. It is most prevalently exhibited in our economic affairs and our civilisation, drawing extensively and dependently upon scientific understanding." Cuff, E.C. Sharrock, W.

W. and D.W. Francis, (2007:54).Here Weber suggests that due to the rise of science, for example technical advancements and knowledge, businesses and the economy can practically benefit as more calculated decisions and actions are made.

However, Weber sees a major disadvantage to this greater understanding of the world:"The development of rationalization has given us an immense understanding of the world and nature, but at a considerable price, namely the disenchantment of the world" Cuff, E.C. Sharrock, W.W. and D.

W. Francis, (2007:55).The more society becomes regulated, controlled and bureaucratised the more oppressed, alienated and dehumanised individuals may become as scientific thoughts take over traditional beliefs. Weber refers to this sense of loss of freedom and containment as the 'iron cage' of bureaucracy, where many aspects of our lifestyles have more control over them, with systems bound by rules and regulations so that individuals have fewer choices.An example of how the 'iron cage' of bureaucracy can be demonstrated includes the view of the American sociologist George Ritzer (1993, 1998), and the 'McDonaldization of society' outlined by Miles, S. (2001) This view includes:"The process by which the principles of the fast-food restaurants are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world" Giddens, A.

(2006:636).These principles include efficiency, where McDonald's for example provides efficient service so that the customer's appetite is fulfilled; "It provides an efficient means of satisfying our needs." Miles, S, (2001:108), calculability, which could include special offers, which apparently provide value to what the customer pays for, for example 'happy meals' or 'Big Macs', "As consumers we are reassured by the sense that we are getting a good deal when the ubiquitous nature of McDonald's clearly illustrates that it is the company itself that is making the genuine profits" also the calculation of "preservation of time" is also taken into account, Miles, S. (2001:108), this taking note of how long customers stay to eat, putting meaning into the terms 'fast food' and 'take away' when explaining restaurants similar to McDonalds. Another principle includes predictability, where individuals recognise that McDonalds has the same system, 'meal deals' and appearance universally, no matter where you go:"..

.We can feel safe in the knowledge that such a visit will hold no surprises. The food will be basic, but familiarly basic, and that in itself is enough." Miles, S. (2001:108).

The final principle includes that of control, involving both employees and customers:"The experience of working in McDonald's is highly prescribed and involves doing a limited number of tasks in a very particular way." Miles, S. (2001:108).For example, the task of grilling burgers repeatedly in a particular order."Similarly, on entering McDonald's the customer is subjected to a highly controlled environment which positively discourages freedom of choice (e.

g. again through the promotion of 'meal deals'); encourages a quick exit (e.g. through the provision of uncomfortable seats); and compels you to dispose of your own rubbish."

Miles, S.

(2001:108-109). Ritzer also emphasises "how machines can apparently be more efficient than human beings" Miles, S. (2001:109).For example the handling of money and the automated drink dispenser.

The way in which Weber's views of rationalization and Ritzer's view on McDonaldization, the principles they both illustrate, can show the dehumanising affects bureaucratic systems have on society;An example provided by Ritzer (1993), outlined by Miles, S. (2001) includes within the car industry, where in America, the Ford, Punto, once tested, "the car's fuel system had a high chance of rupturing in a rear-end collision" and it was "duly calculated that approximately 180 deaths and roughly the same number of injuries would occur as a result of the fault" also "They estimated in turn that this would cost them $200,000 per person and that the cost to the company would be less than the $11 per car it would cost to repair the actual defect" Miles, S. (2001:107-108), the decision that the company made may have been rational practically, however seen as irrational when the affect involves dehumanisation.With individuals performing routine, predictable and repeated tasks for consistent and efficient systems, the more dehumanized and alienated they may feel, as individuals are separated from others to benefit bureaucracy, however, Weber argues that the expansion of bureaucracies are inevitable and they are the "only way of coping with the administrated requirements of large-scale social systems" Giddens, A.

(2006:639). However, Weber also argues that with this, there are many problems, for example, bureaucratic systems are not always efficient and often when seeking assistance from bureaucratic organisations, many individuals maybe treat subjectively. Jobs within these bureaucratic organisations are often dull and

inflexible so that employees are unable to show the full extent to their true skills and abilities.However, "bureaucratic routine and the authority of officialdom over our lives are prices we pay for the technical effectiveness of bureaucratic organisations" Giddens, A.

(2006:641).This showing another view of Weber's that indicates that authority operates and controls many individuals' activities within bureaucratic organisations so that there is less freedom and democracy within societies, throughout the world.Weber emphasised that authority was a main explanation to social change as status affects different lifestyles, excluding certain groups and giving priority to others, this also demonstrating the controlling aspect of bureaucracy and bringing meaning to 'the iron cage'.According to Weber, there are three forms of authority, they include; the charismatic leader, where leadership is mainly about personality:"The charismatic leader comes to power by self-assertion, power over others deriving from the strength of his or her personality and will." Cuff, E.C.

Sharrock, W.W. and D.W. Francis, (2007:50).Examples of charismatic leaders include those from religious and other cults, military groups and in politics, (e.

g. the most common example provided includes the religious leader, Jesus Christ claiming to be the Son of God sent in human form to save all other humans requiring followers or disciples to help spread 'the word'). As such charismatic leaders claim to be appointed with their position through higher forces for perhaps some act of virtue, they must continuously prove to their loyal followers through actions, which may lead to specific changes for the society:"Typically, this dynamic is short-lived and inherently unstable, being moved by the leader's whims. It lacks any solid administrative structure." Cuff, E.

C. Sharrock, W.W. and D.W.

Francis,

(2007:51),And in the case of Jesus, although his existence is still discussed at present, his own mission was short lived as he was sentenced to death:"For the likelihood of endless dramatic success is small, and sooner or later even the most successful charismatic will certainly die" Cuff, E.C. Sharrock, W.W. and D.

W. Francis, (2007:51).This leading onto traditional authority where power is gained through inheritance and the leader is assumed to be entitled to authority due to the family's existence of power:"The classic form of traditional authority is the royal court, which is attached to the ruler and made up of the ruler's friends and family." Cuff, E.C. Sharrock, W.

W. and D.W. Francis, (2007:51),This due to trust and obedience to carry out roles that the leader requests and is historically, the most common and most continuous form of authority:"'Traditional authority' is typically operated through the royal court, with the king's personal following performing the administrative functions because they are connected to and trusted by the king, and carrying out their functions at his behest.

" Hughes, J.A. Sharrock, W.W. and P.

J. Martin, (2007:111).An example of the present form of traditional authority includes the royal family themselves who continuously pass on leadership within the family, this perhaps giving society a focal point of hierarchy.Lastly, Weber describes a third form of authority, including rational-legal authority, where leadership is appointed through a legal process, a significant example includes the democratic electoral process, which involves elections or through evidence of ability:"This type of leadership is associated with an administrative arrangement which is staffed by professionals, who have no personal relationship to the political leader, but who hold their jobs on the

basis of their qualifications." Hughes, J.

A. Sharrock, W.W. and P.J. Martin, (2007:112).

An example of this type of authority could include the businessman Sir Alan Sugar who possesses power through acknowledgement of merit and qualification. This all links to bureaucracy as within bureaucratic organisations, status is promoted to managers through selected training and those promoted hold responsibility in decision-making and supervision and as rational legal authority is increasingly growing in the modern bureaucratic world, this shows that it is the best form we have of solving complex problems so is completely necessary in order to better society.However, the threat that bureaucracy can cause to society includes that as bureaucracies involve record keeping of individuals' identity, (e.g.

date of birth, qualifications, medical treatment, income and so on), fears of democracy being violated grow as those bureaucratic organisations withholding information gain more power:"Critics have expressed concerns that a national central database which contains information about people's identity will not be secure and will pose a threat to people's rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination" Giddens, A. (2006:644).Another problem consists of 'bureaucratic ritualism' argues Robert Merton, who emphasises that too much rule following can "take precedence over the underlying organizational goals" Giddens, A. (2006:643), this coinciding with Weber's view of bureaucracy destroying the importance of democracy and freedom.Burns and Stalker on the other hand argue that Weber's views are dated and that many successful organisations are in actual fact more concerned with flexibility and being advanced, describing two types of organisations; (e.

g. mechanistic and organic);"According o Burns and Stalker, organic organizations are much better equipped to handle the changing demands of an innovative market, such as telecommunications, computer

software or biotechnology." Giddens, A. (2006:643).In answering the question that asks if Weber's view of social development is pessimistic, looking back at what bureaucracy means to Weber and his views of rationality, values and authority, the affect they all have on bureaucratic systems, in Weber's perspective, is mostly a negative approach and therefore a pessimistic viewpoint.

All these ideologies link back to his idea of the 'iron cage', suggesting that due to rationalization, the world has became disenchanted as society's problems can be solved through technological advancement, as well as due to authority, society has became more controlled with rules and regulations causing feelings of alienation and dehumanisation, this demonstrated mainly through the 'McDonaldization of society' and therefore relevant to modern society's social development affecting individuals' behaviour, thoughts and feelings in their everyday lifestyles.