Domination Theory
Domination from theorist perspectives Max Weber – German sociologist – Bureaucracy = social domination How does domination occur ? – Direct threat or force Imposed will through legitimate power – Charismatic domination – Traditional domination – Rational-Legal domination Why does Bureaucracy = Domination? ... Domination from theorist perspectives Robert Michels – French sociologist • Saw bureaucratic organizations with distinct oligarchic tendencies. • “Iron law of oligarchy” • His pessimism parallels Weber The Real Value of these perspectives Even the most rational and democratic forms of organization can result in domination. ... Corporate interests related to profitability and growth tend to take priority over community or national interests - “Willy Loman” theory again. ... Union Carbide Tragedy - Bhopal, India Domination Metaphor - Strengths Draws attention to the double-edged nature of rationality. Creates an organization theory for the exploited. ... Domination Metaphor - Weaknesses Perspective is sometime linked to a “conspiracy” theory of organizations and society. Can blind us to the possibility of non-dominating organization forms if we assert an equivalence between domination and organization.