Bureaucracy as a Social Institution

What is a Bureaucracy? Is a large administration that pursues a wide

variety of goals. German scholar Max Weber (Vay-ber), saw many

faults with the capitalist system & argued that it trapped and restricted individuals.

Believed people could be liberated through bureaucracy rather than revolution – believed people are given specialized tasks based on competency & each role is supervised

in a hierarchy.

Example

Canadian Civil Service is an example of a modern bureaucracy

Sometimes have a negative reputation, however governments often need these to provide services that meet the needs of its citizens.

People are treated impersonally so that everyone is treated the same...

Rules & regulations guide the organization and reliability is guaranteed by written communication (i.e. “drowning in paperwork” idea)...

Believed that bureaucracies could lessen the tensions in society and potentially eliminate existing inequality.

In a Bureaucracy...

4 Structural concepts to a functioning bureaucracy:

1) A well-defined division of administrative labour amongst persons.

2) A personnel system which consists of patterns of recruitment & stable linear careers.

3) A hierarchy among offices, such that the authority and status are differentially distributed among actors; and...

4) Formal & informal networks that connect organizational actors to one another through flows of information and patterns of cooperation.

Basically,....bureaucracy allows expanded societies to

function.

Think of it like the Internet; that is, without the Internet, all you have in a single, disconnected computer while with the Internet you can connect to hundreds of thousands of different sites, all regulated so that people can navigate them with ease.

Without bureaucracy these complicated, complex, inter-related systems could not exist. Without their existence, the systems that Canadians value (or take for granted) such as public health care, education, driver’s licensing, policing, and governmental accountability would fail.

Problems with Bureaucracies...

Dehumanization:

Organizations no longer think of people as unique. They treat everyone the same in accordance with the rules & regulations...

Can you think of an example of this?

Bureaucratic Ritualism:

Organizations become so preoccupied with rules and regulations that they lose sight of the goal of the bureaucracy is trying to achieve...

Example?

Oligarchy

This means ruled by a few. Often in bureaucracies the power is centralized in the few hands of

those at the top of the hierarchy.

Example?

Bureaucratic Inertia:

Refers to when a bureaucracy gets so large & rigid they lose touch with what their clients need. Their policies & procedures remain the same but the nature of their clients changes.

Example?

Society Simulator activity...

https://download.elearningontario.ca/repository/1195280000/HSP3MPU04A04/mme/u4a4_Society_Simulator/LO5029_SocietySimulator.html

That though Canada prides itself on its multicultural background, conflicts between the Canadian government and Native Aboriginals have dotted Canada’s history? One of the most recent, and popularized, has been the Caledonia Land Dispute. This dispute is related to Native land claims stemming from signed treaties vs. the Douglas Estates building contract as supplied by the Provincial government.

Bureaucracies at work...

Beginning in April, 2006 a series of protests occurred, organized from both Native land occupiers and Caledonia residents. The Ontario Provincial Police became a large and visible presence in the town. Injuries have resulted, but thankfully, no fatalities have occurred. Though the tensions have decreased, the issue remains unresolved and the Douglas Estates construction land remains occupied as the government and Native leaders continue to negotiate.

This negotiation illustrates the way that different, even opposing, bureaucracies interact. After all, neither the Native protesters nor the Douglas Creek Estates company nor Caledonia residents are representing themselves directly. Instead, their bureaucracies are acting on their behalf to establish a common ground and shared solution

Reflect on the following:

Considering its diversity and changing demographics, Canadian culture is a difficult concept to visualize. Yet certain aspects, including dual official languages, hockey, Native aboriginals, and the Queen are central to the Canadian identity. Moreover, Canada utilizes the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) media outlet to reach Canada’s people. While some see the CBC as being an essential public service, others see it as being an enculturing tool.

So, should the Canadian government be allowed to run the CBC?

Small Group Activity...

What about the Global impact?

“Canada foils UN water plan” article

The Global Village...

Marshall McLuhan coined the term in 1962, which saw the world as a single community connected

by its telecommunications network.

With the coming of the internet, McLuhan's prediction has become a reality.

Brainstorm some working Bureaucracies in our Global World today? What are they doing well?

What could be improved?

Small Group Activity

In groups of 2-3 people, discuss the question:

“What responsibility does Canada have in regards to the Global Village?”

As you consider this question, consider issues such:

PeacekeepingFreshwater suppliesCharity supportU.N. membership and declaration adherenceEconomic growthMilitary support (i.e. for the United States in Afghanistan)Cultural identityImmigration and Refugee admittanceOther