Free critical thinking on reading reflections

Weber M; The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in Lemert, C. (Ed.) Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. 3nd ed. (104-108) (2004) Boulder, CO.: Westview Press
Quote: “ In order that a manner of life well adapted to the peculiarities of the capitalism… could come to dominate others, it had to originate somewhere, and not in isolated individuals alone, but as a way of life common to the whole groups of man” (para 1 lines 1-3)
In this quote, Weber focuses on capitalism which eventually can grow to dominate other people’s lives and eventually forge a way of life. He argues that one has to adhere to the principal elements of capitalism to survive in our materialistic society and that this force is not only individualistic but is also collective. I agree with the concept of capitalism as an individual force but not that it can be collectivized.
Weber M; The Bureaucratic Machine in Lemert, C. (Ed.) Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. 3nd ed. (108-114) (2004) Boulder, CO.: Westview Press
Quote: “ The principles of office hierarchy and of levels of graded authority mean a firmly ordered system of super- and subordination in which there is a supervision of the lower offices by the higher ones”. (para 4 lines 10-14)
Here Weber argues that the office is structured in such a way that the ones who operate at the top can exercise their absolute power over those at the bottom. This is normally the case in very rigid bureaucratic structures such as government departments and suchlike. I completely agree with Weber’s assertion as he is definitely right in this department although today’s office has developed in such a way that it is no longer so much top heavy. Bureaucracy is sometimes subjective and not always clear but Weber definitely hits the nail on the head in this respect.

Weber M; Class, Status, Party in Lemert, C. (Ed.) Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. 3nd ed. (119-129) (2004) Boulder, CO.: Westview Press
Quote: “ when a number of people have in common a specific causal component of their life chances, in so far as this component is represented exclusively by economic interests in the possession of goods and opportunities for income, and is represented under the conditions of the commodity or labor markets.” (para 2 lines 4-7)
This is an intriguing argument made by Max Weber who argues that one has to assess his/her life chances first before attempting to purchase commodities which fall within their income bracket. However this may not always be the case as competition spurs those who do not have as much as others to attempt to purchase items which are way above their income bracket. I agree with this assertion as it obviously means that the rat race of life is always present wven when faced with purchasing the simplest object.

Weber M; Types of Legitimate Domination in Lemert, C. (Ed.) Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. 3nd ed. (116-119) (2004) Boulder, CO.: Westview Press
Quote: “ Not every case of domination makes use of economic means still less does it have economic objectives. However normally the rule over a considerable number of persons requires a staff, that is a special group which can normally be trusted to execute the general policy as well as the specific commands”. (para 1 lines 1-3)
This intriguing quote reveals that after all, power is not solely tied to economic affluence. However Weber does argue that a group of persons who have power can force others to follow their commands through policy. I am not in total agreement with this assertion as one has to note that if one has money then that is enough of an inducement to make others do your bidding.