sociology of max weber
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Term Paper Presentation on
“Sociology of Max Weber”
Presented By SHEIKH ABIR AHMED
ID:16411028BIR-16
BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONALS
Discussion PointsBiography
Rationalization
Bureaucracy
Authority
Social Action
Sociology of Religion
Impacts
Criticism
Conclusion
Karl Emil Maximilian Weber (1864-1920)
Founding Father of Sociology Born in Erfurt, GermanyFields: Economics, Sociology, History, Law,
Politics, Philosophy Alma Mater : University of Berlin, University
of HeidelbergDied in June 14th ,1920
RationalizationSociety is under the impact of science,
technology,
industrialism,
expanding capitalism, bureaucratization & political
centralization
Use “ rationality” to describe
an economic system
4 types of rationality: practical,
theoretical, formal &
substantive
Rationality is methodical, predictable and reduces all areas of production
and distribution
Introduce concepts of “iron cage”
Within this idea lie
bureaucracy and its control
over these modern systemic activities
Bureaucracy • A complex, hierarchically arranged org composed of many
small subdivisions with specialized functions• Means “rule by the administrative system”• According to him it means – 1. A rigid division of labor is established which clearly identifies the regular tasks and duties of the particular bureaucratic system. 2. There are firmly established chains of command, and the duties and capacity to coerce others to comply is described by regulation. 3. Regular and continuous execution of the assigned duties is undertaken by hiring people with particular qualifications which are certified.
Cont……
Bureaucracy
The 9 fundamental principles of Bureaucracy are-
1. Specialized roles,
2. Recruitment based on merit (e.g. tested through open competition),
3. Uniform principles of placement, promotion, and transfer in an administrative system,
4. Careerism with systematic salary structure,
5. Hierarchy, responsibility and accountability,
6. Subjection of official conduct to strict rules of discipline and control,
7. Supremacy of abstract rules,
8. Impersonal authority. (e.g. Office bearer does not bring the office with him),
9. Political neutrality.
Bureaucracy
Authority
Authority/Domination: Probability that commands will be obeyed
“Without exception every sphere of social action is profoundly influenced by
structures of domination
Domination (authority) is always only one side of command-obedience
relationship
Authority
There are 3 main types of
legitimacy, based on:
Rational grounds - resting on the belief in the legality of
enacted rules and the right of those
elevated to authority under
such rules to issue commands
(i.e. legal authority).
Traditional grounds - Resting on an established
belief in the sanctity of old
traditions
Charismatic grounds - resting
on devotion to the exceptional
sanctity, heroism or exemplary
character of an individual person.
Social ActionIn sociology,
social action, also recognized
as "Weberian
social action"
refers to an act which takes into
account the actions and reactions of individuals
(or 'agents').
Rendering to Max Weber, "an Action is 'social' if the
acting individual
takes account of
the behavior of others
and is thereby
oriented in its course".
Social action is concerned with toward
others. These can be past,
present, or future,
known or unknown.
Not every kind of
action is social
action. Overt action is non-social
if it is oriented
solely to the behavior of inanimate
objects. I.e. religious activity is
not social if is simply for individual
contemplation or prayer.
Not all contact is social (like a collision of two
cyclists) if it is merely a natural accident. But
the discussion that follows would be.
4. Social action is not identical to similar
actions across many people or every action
influenced by other people. I.e. putting up umbrellas is not social
action. Neither is simple imitation of
others, if it is entirely reactive. In all these
cases, the borderline is quite indefinite.
Social Action
Types of social action: There are 4 orientations of
social action. They are- instrumentally
rational (zweckrational). Determined by expectations as to the behavior
of objects or persons in the environmentValue rational
(wertrational). Determined by
a conscious belief in the value for its own sake of
some ethical , etc. behavior,
independent of its success
Affectual (especially emotional).
Determined by the actors
specific states and feelings
Traditional, determined by ingrained habit.
Social Action Social Action
Discussed it in his book “The Protestants Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904-1905)
He analyzed Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism & Buddhism there
Looked into the effect of religious ideas on economic activities
Considered religion as a basis for social stratification
Weber believed Religion was one of the main pillars of Society
Calvinist ideas had a major impact on social advancement & economic innovation in the west
Focused on the beliefs of magic that he referred to as the “disenchantment of the world”
Sociology of Religion
His concepts have had enormous impact on
sociological theory today
His methodological works provides a framework for research
and instruction
Substantive explorations in
religion, economics, history &
politics give a unique insight into the origins of the modern world and its
evolution
Articulated the idea that the
world is becoming
increasingly dominated by
norms & values of
Rationalization
Impacts of Weber’s work
Most importantly, Weber studied the
relationship between religious ideas and
the effect they have on the economic
system
He researched how the West developed a rational religious system (Calvinism) that played a key role in the rise of rational economic
system (capitalism)
Through the influence his
concepts and ideas have had across
many parts of the world, Weberian theory is very
significant today.
Impacts of Weber’s work
Criticism
There was a controversy about the impact of religious beliefs on the economic actions of mankind
Many sociologist believes he lacks a critical theory and his theories can not be used to point out opportunities for constructive change
For Bureaucracy and formal rationality, two types of rationalization, were developed because of their efficiency, calculability and control of achieving goal but as rationalization develops, the original goal is often forgotten and tasks are often accomplished for pure pleasure
He is criticized for his theory of social action because it falls between two meanings and people become confused about how to implement the concept in everyday life
One hand, it could mean a subjective intuition because this would not be scientific
On the other hand, the sociologist couldn’t just proclaim the “Objective” meaning of the social phenomenon
Criticism
Conclusion
Conclusion: weber’s theories are very much significant in modern sociology. His works, concepts, ideas enriched sociology very much. He established sociology as a
different and important part of social science. His ideas about modern
bureaucracy, authority, social actions, religions are very much Important and
gives him a good recognition as a prominent theorist of sociology. He is undoubtedly the Father of Sociology.
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