افاق للعلوم
Volume 11, Numéro 1, Pages 238-263
2026-01-15
The Rationalization Of Society In Max Weber’s Work
Authors : Bensliman Djamel Eddine .
Abstract
This paper offers a comprehensive examination of Max Weber’s theory of rationalization, tracing its conceptual foundations and exploring its enduring relevance in contemporary society. Beginning with the historical and intellectual context of Weber’s work, the study delineates his typology of rationality and its application to the rise of capitalism and bureaucratic organization. It then investigates the diffusion of rationalization across economic, social, and institutional spheres, highlighting its transformative effects on individual behavior and collective structures. Central to the analysis is Weber’s metaphor of the “iron cage,” which encapsulates the paradox of modernity: increased efficiency and predictability at the cost of autonomy and meaning. The paper critically engages with scholarly critiques of Weber’s framework and assesses its applicability to current sociological phenomena, including digital governance, algorithmic decision-making, and institutional rationality. By synthesizing classical theory with contemporary insights, the study underscores the theoretical and practical implications of rationalization for understanding the dynamics of modern social life.
Keywords
Rationalization of society ; Max Weber ; Types of rationality ; bureaucracy ; iron cage
Les articles similaires
بوسالم أحلام
.
عابد يوسف
.
ص 117-132.
Yahia Zeghoudi
.
pages 74-88.
Safi Mechri
.
Sidi Moussa Leila
.
pages 935-954.
Said Houari Amel
.
pages 257-268.
