Weber and Bureaucracy

• Marx ( class ideology, economics)- no absolute right/ wrong ideology
• Nietzsche (morality, culture)
• Weber ( power, legitimacy, domination)
• Freud (sexuality, irrationality, sub-conscious)

After there was no revolution and there was also the fail of the Paris Commune which saw the rise of Germany and social democracy, imperialism and militarism dominated in various countries.

Bismarck formed many of the German speaking nations into one state in the 19th century by imposing new laws. The 'built from above approach' introduced bureaucracy which consequently created a middle class.

Weber like Marx, is a kantian- humans can not know the objects in themselves, no absolute reality; we only have a mental picture- the ideal types of social organisation ( socialism, nationalism and liberalism etc).

Weber analysed social action into 4 fundamental types:

1. Instrumental- rational action ( social status and security factors)
2. Value- rational action
3. Affectual- emotional affirmation/disaffirmation (orientation)
4. Traditional ( rational inheritance- anticipating orientation)

Domination is authority and legitimacy according to Weber. He also analysed what he believed to be the different types of authority:

1. Traditional eg families, ceremonies, titles etc.
2. Charismatic
3. Legal rational ( bureaucratic)

Weber on Bureaucracy

Weber used bureaucracy as a way of referring to the way in which a government rule. He believed that a bureaucracy was the most efficient way of achieving 'the rule of law'. This law is rational and therefore demands respect. Consequently, there should be no resistance to authority and followers should remain loyal to their leaders.

The Prussian government was the key institution of the German Empire.

He believed the ideal type of bureaucracy was to consist of a hierarchical division of labour and also be patrimonial in allowing the buying and selling of property.

Bureaucratisation created inevitable capitalism which meant it was a more efficient method, a more bureaucratic way to develop modern civilisation.