Three Types Of Heroism In Max Waber's Theory Of The Rationalized System

Weber's attempt to explain why people believe they are obliged to obey the law leads him to draw his well-known distinction between three types of legitimate domination: traditional (where 'legitimacy is claimed for it and believed in by sanctity of age-old rules and powers'), charismatic (based on `devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person'), and legal-rational domination (which rests on 'a belief in the legality of enacted rules and the right of those elevated to authority under such rules to issue commands'). It is, of course, this third type that is a central feature of Weber's account of law. And, though the concept of legal-rational authority is bound up with his theory of value …show more content…
Many people will say that a theory is not proven; that's why its a theory. However, Weber's “theory” on rationalization is about as close as you can get to a proofed theory. Although much of his work on the matter could be considered an historical comparison, he effectively made the conclusion that society was going to get progressively 'rationalized.' He had stated that society is an 'iron cage.' This could not be more accurate today. Everywhere you go society has become 'rationalized.' From the coffee shop to the farm, people attempt to make their businesses and lives as efficient as possible. It is because efficient businesses are profitable businesses, efficient homes give people more time for leisure activities. And this is true albeit it eliminates your necessity to think half the time. One may argue: “What are you talking about? With all these advances in technologies you have to be able to think. How else will you be able to use a computer or car or phone?” This is a good argument; however, once you are able to operate these technologies, they become second nature and you no longer have to think. This is just the individual's side of the problem. For every other situation people have become policy numbers, prescriber numbers, social security numbers, etc. Most …show more content…
There are people that see themselves in a 'velvet cage' and enjoy all of the specialization, efficiency, and convenience; people who see themselves in a 'rubber cage' and are under the illusion that they can escape the grip of 'McDonalization; and finally, those that see themselves in the 'iron cage' and know that there is no escape. I think when it comes to relationships, Weber's ideas of verstehen are relevant in today's society. People are getting away from the attitudes of a few decades ago. As I was growing up, there was not much focus on understanding each other's needs and communicating. More and more people are going to counselors to talk about their marital problems; kids talk to counselors about their parents. I, for one, make an attempt to figure out what my children and wife are thinking and why they are doing what they are doing. In a relationship, a lot can go unnoticed, if you stop and try to understand what someone is doing and why they are acting a certain way, it may unveil facts that you might not have noticed just by looking at the surface of an action. The Verstehen paradigm is used in police forces, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and