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.