Answer to Question 1
Humanizing a workplace means organizing it in a way that develops rather than impedes human potential. Functionalists would view humanizing the work setting as a means by which the corporate machine can run more smoothly and can recognize the importance of each of its members. Symbolic interactionists would view the corporation as being more family-oriented, more diverse, or more sensitive to the needs of workers, though the exact view would depend on the manner in which the workplace was changed and the interpretation of each employee. Conflict theorists simply see humanizing the workplace as being an end around move to camouflage the ever-present confrontation between workers and owners.
Answer to Question 2
Oligarchy refers to a system in which many are ruled by a few. Michels coined the phrase the iron law of oligarchy to refer to the way in which formal organizations come to be dominated by a small, self-perpetuating elite. While the majority of the members become passive, an elite inner group keeps itself in power by passing the leading positions from one clique member to another. The purpose of the oligarchy is to perpetuate the status quo and to support the interests of these elite few.
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