Question

Which of the following option(s) is/are CORRECT about Max Weber’s argument(s) about bureaucracy?

• A. The spread of bureaucratic specialisation is mainly promoted by its technical superiority over other types of organization
• B. The conduct of rational capitalism entails unavoidable consequences in the sphere of social organisation and inevitably forces the spread of bureaucracy
• C. The more the bureaucracy is humanised, society is characterised by mechanised petrification
• D. The charismatic rebirth of new gods could counter mechanised petrification

Hint:

Weber saw bureaucracy as efficient yet potentially dehumanizing. Remember the three types of authority: traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, D

Step 1: Understanding Weber’s theory of bureaucracy.
Max Weber saw bureaucracy as the most rational and efficient form of organization due to its reliance on rules, hierarchy, and specialization. Step 2: Analyze each option.
(A) Correct. Weber argued that bureaucracy’s rise is largely due to its technical efficiency.
(B) Correct. Rational capitalism needs predictable systems, which bureaucracy offers, thereby spreading its influence.
(C) Incorrect. Weber associated “mechanized petrification” with excessive bureaucratization, not humanization.
(D) Correct. He proposed that only a resurgence of charismatic authority or new values could counter the stifling effects of bureaucratic rationality.