Normative Models of Bureaucratic Behavior: Part 1

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Normative Models of Bureaucratic Behavior Part 1

• One never seeks to avoid an inconvenience without
  running into another.
• (Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince, Ch.21)

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Max Weber
Prussian Sociologist of the 19th early 20th
Century Emphasizes rational legal
administration as foundation for legitimate
authority
Principles of Rational Legal Administration with
Bureaucratic Agency 1) office holders personally
free and subject to authority only within the
scope of their impersonal official obligations2)
hierarchy of offices3) sphere of competence4)
free selection into office filled by free
contractual relationship always free to
resign5) candidates appointed, not elected, on
basis of technical qualifications6) remuneration
is by fixed salaries 7) office is sole or
primary occupation of incumbent8) constitutes a
career system of promotion9) official can't own
means or appropriate position10) official
subject to strict and systematic discipline and
control in conduct of office.
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Consequences of Bureaucratic Control

• 1) the level field broadest possible
  recruitment in terms of technical competence2)
  plutocracy due to interest in greatest possible
  length of technical training3) formal
  impersonality. All subject to formal equality of
  treatment with neither anger nor passion, neither
  affection nor enthusiasm.

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The Weberian Rational Bureaucracy
Basic Feature Apolitical, Rational
Division of Labor According to task
Chain of Command Clearly defined, hierarchic
Terms of Placement Qualifications/expertise
Method of Advancement Merit system through performance reviews
Agency Culture Efficient, impersonal, task-oriented
Modus Operandi Scientific Public Policy Reliance on statistics, cost/benefit analysis, risk assessment, impact studies, performance reviews, standard operating procedures
Goals Effective, efficient administration of policy
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Weberian Bureaucracy Critique
Advantages Neutrality neither favor nor malice toward any specific individual or group Systematic Approach Decisions, policies procedures follow a predefined pattern Coherence The system follows a clear, precise logical pattern Predictability Standard Operating Procedures allow for expected measured responses to policy issues Self-Correction systematic evaluation of policies, procedures and personnel to determine the best fit in the organization Efficiency Maximum benefit derived from minimum cost Disadvantages Impersonality agents part of an administrative machine, regarded as agency resources to boost efficiency Plutocracy qualifications for upper echelon require additional training additional expensehigh price of entry
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The Machiavellian Acquisitive Bureaucracy
Basic Feature Inherently political
Division of Labor According to task in order to maintain appearance of rational bureaucracy
Chain of Command Clearly defined, rigidly hierarchic Rank Has Its Privileges, preoccupied with issues of rank
Terms of Placement Favor and patronage, connections, who you know
Method of Advancement Spoils system, persuasion, perceived factional advantage
Agency Culture May be efficient, but not always. Agencies may develop strong unit cohesion. Highly personal, paranoid attention to loyalties. Characterized by maintaining appearances, Turf wars, defensive posturing retaliation.
Modus Operandi appearances v. effectual truth uses methods of Webers Rational Bureaucracy to justify acquisition, budget maximization, patronage, tasks accomplished through contacts networking.
Goals Expand (or at least protect) budget, staff, authority influence
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Machiavellian Acquisitive Bureaucracy Critique
Advantages Unit Cohesion agents trust defend each other from outside threats, work together to accomplish mission objectives Hierarchic Clarity Chain of command unambiguous strictly followed Competition reinforces unit cohesion camaraderie Loyalty Vested agents dedicated to the organization Profit Agents gain authority, influence compensation from expansion of agency Disadvantages Deceit agents willing to dissemble or obfuscate agency realities to protect the agency or allies within the agencies Patronage qualifications for upper echelon require networking with upper ranks, serving their narrow interests through quid pro quo Mission Creep agency authority influence grow beyond the original statement of purpose Turf Wars agencies seek to exercise authority influence beyond their stated mission, competing with other agencies mission resulting in organizational conflict Retaliation measures consciously taken to neutralize perceived threats to narrow interests, both inside outside the agency