the bureaucratic theory

7/27/2019 The Bureaucratic Theory

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The Bureaucratic Theory

The term Bureaucracy was coined by

Vincent De Gourney.

Weber differentiated between power and

authority


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A person could be said to possess power

if his will could be enforced in a social

relationship despite resistance.

For Weber authority was identical with

authoritarian power of command.

He identified 5 essential components of

authority-


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1. An individual or body of individuals who

rule.

2. An individual or body of individuals who

are ruled.

3. The will of rulers to influence the conduct

of the ruled.


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4. The evidence of influence of rulers in

terms of objective degree of command.

5. The direct or indirect influence of that

command in terms of subjective

acceptance.

Authority exists as long as it is accepted

by ruled as legitimate.


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An organization thus can rule only when it haslegitimacy.

Weber prescribed three states of legitimacy-

1. Legal Authority- is found in organizations whererules are applied judicially and in accordancewith ascertainable principles valid for allmembers of the organization. The members who

exercise powers are superiors and areappointed by legal procedures. The subjectperson to the commands are legal equals whoobey the law.


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2.Traditional Authority- Derives its legitimacy

from acceptance of it since hoary past.

The persons exercising authority generally

are called masters. Their commands carrylegitimacy because of customs but they

can also give orders based on personal

decisions. Thus conformity with customsand personal arbitrariness are two

characteristics of traditional authority.


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3. Charismatic Authority- The power

exercised by a leader may be a prophet, a

hero substantiating the claim by virtue of

his magical powers or heroism or otherextraordinary gifts or qualities. The

persons obey leader because they believe

in his extraordinary capabilities. Theleader selects his disciples on basis of

personal devotion.


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Weber believed that all these authority

claim legitimacy as long as ruled accept

them.

He states that these pure types of

authority are always found in combination

rather than separated from each other.

Weber preferred the legal type of authority

due to inherent rationality in it.


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3.That individual exercising authority alsoobeys impersonal order.

4.The obedience falls not to the person who

holds authority but to impersonal orderwhich grants him the position.

These elements substantiate the view thatWeber laid great stress on relationshipbetween legitimacy and impersonal order.


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3.Every official & every office is part of hierarchy ofauthority. Higher offices supervise while loweroffices have right to appeal.

4.Officials do not own resources necessary forrendering the duties but they are accountable forthe use of resources.

5.Offices cannot be appropriated by incumbents as

private property which can be sold or inherited.6.Administration is conducted on basis of written

documents.


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Characteristics of officials-

1. He is personally free and appointed to anofficial position on basis of contract.

2. He exercises authority delegated to him inaccordance with impersonal rules, hisloyalty is expressed through faithful

execution of his official duties.3. His appointment and job placement

depends on his technical qualification.


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4. His administrative work is his full time

occupation.

5. His work is rewarded by a regular salary

and by prospects of regular advancement

in his career.

the bureaucratic theory

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