Question

. How would the three main Sociological Theories view bureaucratic organization? What influence would the three Sociological Theories perceive bureaucratic organizations to have on the individual and the needs of the individual

Answer 1

Bureaucracy is viewed in terms of its positive functions that maintain unity and stability of the organisation, according to the functionalist perspective. Individuals are akin to parts of a machine, carrying out specific routines to ensure an efficient functioning of the overall organisation. The conflict perspective, on the other hand, asserts that bureaucracy create a hierarchy that lead to differences between individuals from different racial and class-based backgrounds. As a result, individuals are reduced to merely being subordinates to a bureaucratic power and experience stress and alienation as a result. Finally, the symbolic interaction perspective emphasises the role of the individual self in terms of its interaction with bureaucracy and its resultant changes. How the individual self interacts with the organisation determines the structure of bureaucracy.