Summarize Max Weber's perspective on rationality and outline his ...

[burchfield96]

Summarize Max Weber's perspective on rationality and outline his ideal characteristics of bureaucracy.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Religious beliefs and rituals are __________ representations, which are group-held meanings that express something important about the group itself.
 
  a. core
  b. universal
  c. collective
  d. standard

[tjayeee]

Answer to Question 1

According to sociologist Max Weber, rationality is the process by which traditional methods of social organization, characterized by informality and spontaneity, are gradually replaced by efficiently administered formal rules and procedures. In his study of bureaucracies, he relied on an ideal type analysiswhich is an abstract model that describes the recurring characteristics of some phenomenon. To develop this ideal type, Weber abstracted the most characteristic bureaucratic aspects of religion, educational, political, and business organizations. Weber's model highlights the organizational efficiency and productivity for which bureaucracies strive. Weber's model included the following characteristics: (1) division of laborbureaucratic organizations are characterized by specialization, and each member has a specific status with certain assigned tasks to fulfill. (2) hierarchy of authoritywhich inevitably influences social interaction. Those who are lower in the hierarchy report to and often take orders from those above them in the organizational pyramid. Persons at the upper levels are responsible not only for their own actions but also for those of the individuals they supervise. (3) rules and regulationswhich establish authority within an organization.

These rules are typically standardized and provided to members in a written format.

(4) qualification-based employment bureaucracies hire staff members and professional employees based on specific qualifications. Individual performance is evaluated against specific standards, and promotions are based on merit as spelled out in personnel policies. (5) impersonalitya detached approach should prevail toward clients so that personal feelings do not interfere with organizational decisions.

Answer to Question 2

c