Weber accepts that bureaucracy often causes the iron cage phenomenon. But while the iron cage is negative for the individual, he argues that it is actually a good thing because it helps the organization thrive and places its needs above the needs of the

Question

individual. Besides the iron cage, what other negative consequences are there of bureaucracies? Do you think these are also positives in disguise?

Please provide the best answer for the statement.

Answer 1

1. Bureaucracies have a top-to-bottom organizational hierarchy, which strips workers of any
say in decision making, meaning that dysfunctions may occur.
2. These dysfunctions include: (1) Inefficiencies, where it takes longer for tasks to be
accomplished because of all the rules and requirements. (2) Worker alienation, which
causes workers to lack passion and to only focus on one minor task that they are assigned
to, thus missing the larger picture. (3) Suppression of creativity and imagination, where
rules and regulations stifle new ideas and opportunities. And (4) resistance to change,
which occurs because bureaucracies are so full of rules that it can be difficult to change
them once they are set.
3. Students need to make a case as to whether these are necessary evils or not. This could
include information about the negative effects of bureaucracy on society as a whole, or the
conflict perspective’s view of bureaucracy as a form of class inequality. Or it could be an
argument that bureaucracy is a positive in disguise.