Substantive Rationality and the Formation of Weberian Bureaucracy

In Weberian bureaucratic theory, bureaucratization refers to the shift of administrative mode from particularism to universalism. Weber posited that the equalization of differences can drive the bureaucratization process. However, when he discussed the notion of rational bureaucracy, he selected Prussia with absolutist rule as an example rather than England which possessed greater political equality and maintained parliamentary sovereignty, leading to a seeming “theory-case mismatch.” This article takes this mismatch as a point of departure, uncovering the implicit conditions of bureaucratization in Weber’s theory and the significance of substantive rationality in maintaining bureaucracy. Ultimately, this paper offers a more comprehensive understanding of Weber’s bureaucratic theory by synthesizing substantive rationality and bureaucratization and inspiring further exploration of his political thought.