Bureaucracy, Rationalization and Organization.

         While preparing for civil services, we encounter bureaucracy almost 1000 times a day. But I never asked a very basic question to myself "what is bureaucracy?". So in search of answer ,dwindling here and there in this virtual world I encounter a very good theory propounded by Max Weber. Firstly bureaucracy is "a body of no nelective government officials" and/or "an administrative policy-making group". Now Weber while explaining his model has presented 6 core parameter in bureaucracy:

• Clearly defined division of labour and authority. 
• hierarchical structure of office.
• written guidelines prescribing performance criteria.
• recruitment to offices based on specialization and expertise.
• office holding as a career or vocation.
• duties and authority attached to post not to person. 

    These element suggest "Rational Bureaucracy" is embedded with 3 main principle formalization, instrumentalism, rational legal authority. While dealing with his model Weber emphasized on the phrase "role makes the person" clearly highlighting the power of the formal structure ,firstly in selection process and then in performance. On other hand if we converse this phrase i.e "person makes the role" imply idiosyncratic behavior brought to job will decide how it is carried out.
He also talk about bureaucratic institution is laid down with a defined objective. What weber is propounding is
                "Bureaucratic administration means fundamentally domination through knowledge"
           And what he not talk about is efficiency of the organization and zeal of one to perform.
Ideal bureaucracy is a concept for which one can aspire for but integrating it with individual's variable will solve the purpose. Over emphasizing and relying on knowledge based domination will undermine the human values, and will make whole system mechanized. This will defeat very purpose of the bureaucracy to serve people.