Weber’s most famous work is his essays on, ‘economic Sociology’, a book, ‘sociology of Religion’, ‘the proletariat Ethic & the spirit of Capitalism.’ Most of his writings were translated, into English & were published later on.
Being a sociologist, Weber understood the importance of society. A state has a different role to play because state has power, authority & legitimacy. It has coercive power. Why do people obey? What constitutes the legitimacy of Power? Power turns into authority when it gains legitimacy. On the basis of these realistic assumptions, Max Weber wrote on Bureaucracy. He made a systematic study of Bureaucracy & its Characteristics. To him, Bureaucracy is an administrative body of appointed officials. Weber categorized Bureaucracy into - 1) Patrimonial Bureaucracy which is found in traditional & Charismatic type of authorities & legal rational Bureaucracy which is founded only in legal type of authority.
Weber claimed that Bureaucracy is a power elite, & owes it on its three assets; - expertise, information & access to secrets. This power of Bureaucracy makes all dependent on Bureaucracy. Without Bureaucracy, there would be chaos. Bureaucracy has certainly, precision & predictability. Weber insists on Bureaucracy as a technical instrument of Administration. Bureaucracy is not only technical instrument but is also social force, having effect on the values of society at large.
Max Weber was the first administrative thinker to study interrelationship between state & Society. As a scholar of Law, he understood the significance of power, authority & legitimacy. Having understood the importance of Bureaucracy, as viewed by Weber, it is necessary to understand his ‘Theory of Bureaucracy.’
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