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For this week's activity, I believe the university system is a strong example of bureaucracy according to Weber. We have many interactions, from registering for a course or submitting assignments, to the entire process for applying for a degree, that are governed by formal procedures.

If I had to think back to my experience in school so far, there is no doubt that it is filled with deadlines, specific formatting for submissions, and a set of criteria that usually have to be met. A university doesn't make these decisions based on personal feelings; thankfully, it relies on standardized rules to promote impartiality among students.

In reality, we are human, and we have emotions, so some flexibility might be present for different cases. Weber argues that the adherence to rules is what allows an organization to function efficiently and fairly on a larger scale.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is my university. Universities are considered bureaucracies because they have a clear hierarchy, formal rules, and specific procedures that students must follow.

One step of bureaucracy that I have personally experienced is following formal rules and procedures. As a student who receives accommodations, I had to register with Student Accessibility Services and provide documentation before accommodations could be approved. There was a specific process that needed to be followed, including completing forms and meeting with staff. This experience reflects Weber's idea that bureaucracies use formal rules and procedures to ensure that decisions are made fairly and consistently for everyone.

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An example of bureaucracy discussed by Max Weber is accessing the public administration system. This includes accessing different government departments, corporate businesses, universities, etc. I have experienced bureaucracy from attending university. Universities have clear levels of rules, hierarchy of authority and specific procedures that staff and students must adhere by. There are multiple steps to the application and admission process that follow very strict rules and have very strict criteria that needs to be met to be considered. If admitted you deal with bureaucracy during course selection where we have to follow the schools selection and submission process. We must meet our individual graduation requirements to obtain our degrees. There are multiple departments and staff involved in supporting students to meet all their requirements and to make sure students reach their goals of graduation. Bureaucracy keeps things organized and supports people to follow specific rules and regulations to reach an end goal.

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Applying to college and university programs is one kind of bureaucracy I have personally experienced. Max Weber asserts that formal norms and procedures that everyone has to follow are how bureaucracies function. One particular stage in the application process that I encountered was sending in official transcripts. I had to make sure that all necessary documentation was provided through the proper routes before my application could be assessed. Weber's concept of bureaucracy was reflected in this phase because all candidates were subject to the same set of standards, standard operating processes, and straightforward regulations. By following these protocols, the admissions process was made more equitable and uniform.

-Janvi Patel

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Within my own life, an example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered was during high school when I was working at Loblaws in the hot food department. Out of the characteristics of Weber's bureaucracy, the one that I experienced was the third characteristic: Rules and Regulations. Weber outlines this characteristic as bureaucracies that govern themselves through strict rules to ensure that everything stays efficient and controlled.

During my shifts at Loblaws, this was shown by the taut procedures that were enforced by my manager regarding food preparation. For example, when working behind the glass counter, I was responsible for taking bags of frozen fried chicken from the freezer, cooking them in our pressure fryer and then placing them into the display case for customers. A strict standardized protocol for how this had to be done was reinforced, so as not to overcook the food, and second, during peak hours, efficiency was needed to meet the demand of customers. I was told to finish my cooking and restocking tasks before I could take my scheduled lunch break so that I wouldn’t leave work behind for the next person. These formal rules prioritized efficiency and strict control, which outlines the definition of Rules and Regulations by Max Weber.

Ezinwa Nwakoby

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Based on Weber’s steps of bureaucracy I have experienced hierarchy of positions. This is step 2, it talks about how workers are put into a ranking system and those that have higher ranking are in charge of supervising those with lower ranking. When I worked at Tim Hortons those that had worked there longer had higher ranking than those who hadn’t been working there as long. Due to me working there for four years I had a supervisor position and would be in charge of the other workers when a manager was not present. The managers were those who had worked there longer than I had.

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An example of a bureaucracy that I have experienced recently would be the post- secondary education system. The bureaucratic step I experienced was the course registration process. Before I could enroll in classes, I had to follow a specific set of procedures, meet the program requirements and register through the school’s online system. This reflects Weber’s concept of bureaucracy because it involves formal rules, procedures and structured hierarchy.

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One example of bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is the process of applying to university. There are many steps that need to be satisfied in a specific order before a student can be accepted. One of the first steps that I completed was submitting my application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre. I had to fill out my personal information, select the programs I was interested in, submit the necessary documents, and finally pay the application fee before my application could be processed. This system reflects Weber’s idea of bureaucracy because there are formal rules and procedures that everyone must follow. This ensures that no matter who is applying the same process is used to ensure fairness and organization.

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The job I most recently worked at before starting university was at a restaurant that overused formal written communication. The restaurant used a point of sale system that is an iOS app called Square. Since the system was also an app, it allowed the restaurant to share the weekly schedule, share company-wide announcements, and keep documents and policies uploaded within the app, along with other forms of communicating. The management team had a very passive-aggressive communication style. If someone made a mistake, instead of talking to the person privately about the mistake, they would wait until the shift was over and post a threatening announcement to all of the staff saying that people will be written up if they make said mistake. They often used the app to announce last-minute mandatory meetings (often less than 48 hours' notice), and we would be questioned if we were not in attendance. Management preferred to have communication in writing, ‘just in case.' In my opinion, my old job relied on formal written communication to a detriment and was on its way to becoming an “iron cage of bureaucracy” due to how it left employees feeling alienated and dehumanized, as not only was written communication preferred, but oral communication was also actively avoided.

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An example of bureaucracy that I have an encountered is written communication through receiving a report card every year in school. Report cards are formal written communications that follow standardized guidelines for assessing and communicating a student’s performance within academic space. They help maintain structure. Consistency and clarity when evaluating ones educational processes and outcomes.

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An example of bureaucracy I can think of comes from learning about the structure of a police department. I’ve been looking into all the steps and requirements first of all needed to apply. There are certain expectations, like passing all physical and mental tests, having first aid and cpr training, and a high school diploma. And once you are in, there are rules you must follow as an officer and specialized roles. Officers follow established procedures and report to higher-ranking officials which helps the organization function efficiently and consistently. I’m currently in the process of getting or training for the requirements needed to get into the program.

- Olivia Dixon

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I think, in a neoliberal economy, the financial support I would expect during retirement would be a mix of savings and government support. Canada has the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS), which have elements that provide a small amount of income to retirees, but I know that, for many, this is not enough to cover the cost of living.

This is why many people choose to save for retirement with RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) and TFSAs (Tax-Free Savings Accounts), which are accounts that allow Canadians to save money that they will then have access to in the future to support them in retirement.

I do have concerns about retirement savings, though, because the cost of living continues to rise, and it may become more difficult for future generations to live solely off the government pension. I think it is safe to say that both government support and personal savings are needed for retirement.

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An example that came to my mind after learning about bureaucracy that i have experienced would be the process of picking up my medication at a pharmacy. When I go to pick up my prescription, there are many steps that are required. This can include sharing my identification, waiting for the pharmacist to process it and then most times waiting for approval before I can receive my medication. Even though I am the sole person picking up the medication, it is crucial that I cannot skip any steps as this can impact the accuracy and/or safety of the medication being provided. This goes back to the concept of Bureaucracy as there are required rules and regulations that must be followed so that the process can remain organized and structured for all individuals that are involved.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have experienced is the process of being approved for a teaching placement. Before beginning a placement, there were several requirements that had to be completed, including submitting paperwork, obtaining approvals, and interviews. One step I experienced was waiting for my placement proposal to be reviewed and approved before I could start. This reflects Weber's idea of bureaucracy because there are formal procedures and a hierarchy of authority that must be followed before a decision is made.

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Week 9 Backpack Activity- Visshnee Thirikaran

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Week 9 Backpack Activity- Visshnee Thirikaran

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have experienced is renewing my health card. I had to follow a specific process that included providing identification, completing forms, and waiting for my application to be processed. One characteristic of bureaucracy discussed by Max Weber that I experienced was the hierarchy of authority. When I had questions about my application, the employee helping me had to follow instructions and policies set by supervisors and the government agency. They could not simply make exceptions based on personal judgment. Although this sometimes made the process slower, it ensured that everyone was treated according to the same rules. This experience showed how bureaucracies use a clear chain of command to maintain organization and consistency.

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One step of a bureaucracy as described by Max Weber that I have experienced is step 3, Rules and Regulations. Step 3 is when a bureaucracy functions under a very specific set of rules and regulations. I work in a nail salon and there are many rules and regulations that we have to follow as a nail technician to operate the salon in a nice and clean way. The first set of rules we have to follow is the process of a manicure or pedicure. Although different technicians do some parts differently, the general set of outlines to follow is to remove the colour, cut, shape, buff, clean, and then paint. This set of outlines makes sure that the colour stays as long as possible and to make sure clients don’t have an infection or fungus before we get too far into a service. The second set of regulations we have to follow are the rules and regulations provided by public health for nail salons. This set of regulations is the most important because it makes sure that the salon is sanitary. This means that all tools, chairs, pedicure bowls, and table surfaces are sterile. This prevents any clients from getting any infections from us or our salon.

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An example of bureaucracy I have experienced in my personal life is getting my drivers license through The ServiceOntario office. When I went to get my license, I went through a whole process. I needed to go online and book my appointment, needed to bring multiple forms of ID, I needed to sign multiple papers, and I needed to go through multiple workers.

This is an example of bureaucracy as the system and process of getting my driver’s license is a very well organized and structured procedure, with specific rules and steps used to allow it to function.

One step from the bureaucratic system that I specifically encountered is rules and regulations. While I was getting my license, there were others there for the same reason. The ServiceOntario office showed to follow strict rules and regulations as each of us went through the same exact process to get our licenses. The questions we were asked, the papers we filled out, the IDs we needed to show were all the same. We talked to the same people, moved to the same stations and went through the same process the entire way through.

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An example of a bureaucracy I have personally experienced is the university administrative system, especially when dealing with course registration and academic requests. This reflects Max Weber’s idea of bureaucracy because it is organized through a clear hierarchy, follows strict rules and procedures, and relies on formal documentation rather than personal decision-making.

One specific step of the bureaucratic process I experienced was submitting a formal academic request through an online student portal. For example, when I needed to drop or change a course, I could not just do it informally or directly with a professor. Instead, I had to log into the official system, fill out a structured form, and clearly state the reason for my request. After submitting it, the request was sent to the appropriate department or academic advisor for review.

After submission, I had to wait for approval, which is another important part of bureaucracy. My request moved through different levels of authority before a final decision was made. Sometimes I also received emails asking for additional information or clarification before the request could be approved or denied.

This experience shows how bureaucracy works through standardized steps, division of responsibilities, and rules that apply to everyone equally. While it helps keep the system organized and fair, it can also feel slow and less flexible because everything must follow formal procedures. -phanny iragena

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An example of a bureaucracy I’ve encountered is the process of getting a wedding license in Ontario. One step of bureaucracy I experienced is formal rules and procedures. To obtain the license, I had to follow a specific process, including completing an application, providing identification, paying a fee, and submitting everything to a government office. There were clear steps that had to be followed exactly, with little flexibility.

This reflects Max Weber’s idea of bureaucracy, where organizations rely on structured rules and standardized procedures. Accessing the information online beforehand was helpful because I was able to bring everything I needed and complete the process in one visit. Since the procedures are fixed, it has made the system straightforward and easier to navigate.

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An example in my own life of a bureaucracy I have dealt with is with my school system while trying to register for classes or request things such as my transcripts. This fits in with the theory on bureaucracy by Max Weber, who defined it as having rules, clear hierarchies, and structured sequential procedures all for which members of the organization must adhere. In my own experience, one aspect that is bureaucracy is the online procedure to register for your classes, which requires filling out an official form. When registering for classes, you don't simply e-mail someone, or grab courses that will fit in your schedule. Instead you must sign into a student online portal, search and pick courses, then make sure you fill out prerequisite information and ensure they fall within required sequences and meet criteria. You must also submit this within a specified timeframe. If there is any error, for example if you pick a course for which you do not qualify or if you leave a step unanswered, the system will reject your registration or you may have to contact your counselor or school staff to correct this issue. This aligns to the principles of bureaucracy from Weber, because the system is well organized and dictated by specific rules and procedures rather than personal preferences that result in an even treatment for all students. Though it may seem restrictive at times, it serves to provide a smooth and just experience.

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I have personally experienced bureaucracy in the Ontario health care system when seeking medical attention at a walk-in clinic. Because it adheres to an organized system consisting of formal rules, a defined hierarchy, and uniform processes that apply to everyone equally, this is an excellent illustration of Max Weber's definition of bureaucracy.

The check-in and triage procedure before visiting a physician was one instance of bureaucracy I encountered. I couldn't just go in and see a doctor as soon as I got to the clinic. Rather, I had to first register at the front desk by showing my health card and giving some basic personal details, such as why I was there. I then had to wait for my name to be input into the system and added to a queue. The urgency of my issue was then determined by a nurse or receptionist utilizing a series of predefined questions. This phase determined when I would be seen, thus my priority was determined by medical necessity in accordance with established norms rather than by personal desire or arrival time alone.

Weber's concept of bureaucracy is reflected in this experience as it is hierarchical, rule-based, and impersonal. Even while it might occasionally feel sluggish, it guarantees consistency and fairness in patient care.

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As described by Max Weber, bureaucracy is the most efficient way to operate and organize businesses and institutions such as schools, restaurants, hospitals, etc., with the help of a designed set of rules and regulations. We encounter bureaucracies in our lives on a daily basis even without realizing it. One example of bureaucracy that I faced is becoming a permanent resident of Canada by following a set of formal rules and regulations where you are treated as a file number regardless of any flexibility or exception. I came to Canada as an international student in 2019 all by myself and had experienced bureaucracy firsthand. I had to submit all the documents without a single mistake, following strict procedures and a highly structured immigration process. Even after coming here, I had gone through a lot of paperwork to get a work permit and to eventually attain PR status. The journey took more than five years, including immigration checks and formal procedures, illustrating Weber’s idea of bureaucracy. It also included a characteristic of impersonality because everyone is categorized as a file number with the same treatment. Advantages include productivity, consistency to follow rules and easy management. I personally feel like there are some serious disadvantages to these processes as well, which include slow decision-making and delayed solutions. Some students had to wait even for years for results from the government because of too much backlog, and it is a very common criticism of bureaucratic systems because a large number of application requests remain pending and unprocessed for years due to lengthy and numerous requirements. I highlighted this point because a close friend of mine is currently experiencing the same situation of lengthy processing. Although we applied at the same time, I received my PR last year and he is still struggling, which I believe is unfair and creates uncertainty. Also, at times, bureaucratic processes become overly complex, causing the public to bear the costs, and it is clearly reflected in my example of immigration bureaucracy.

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A bureaucracy that I personally have come across is Tim Hortons. The idea of bureaucracy is used by businesses, such as Tim Hortons, to make sure that their employees will behave in the same way and give customers the same treatment.

Formal rules and procedures is one of the bureaucratic processes I have encountered. Staff at Tim Hortons are expected to adhere to particular protocols during the process of taking orders, assembling meals and beverages, dealing with cash and health and safety standards. For instance, there are clear procedures in place for cooking foods and adhering to food safety rules. These rules are in place to promote efficiency, consistency and customer satisfaction from all locations.

Although sometimes repetitive, these procedures contribute to smooth running of the workplace and minimize mistakes.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is my when I register for courses. According to Weber, bureaucracies are organizations that operate through formal rules, procedures, and a clear hierarchy in order to function efficiently. One step of the bureaucracy that I experienced was the use of formal rules and procedures/formal selection process. Before I could enroll in certain courses, there are prerequisites and requirements, and I have to submit my course selections by a set deadline. Rather than decisions being made based on personal relationships or individual circumstances, the same rules applied to all students. This experience reflects Weber's concept of bureaucracy because the course registration process followed standardized procedures designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and organization for everyone involved.

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The bureaucracy which I experience when coming to Canada was rules and regulations. When I was applying for my study permit, it was really stressful for me. There were so many steps and I had no choice but to follow each one as required. I had to get my IELTS scores, my admission letter from Trent, my financial documents and none of it could be even slightly off. If even one document was off or missing, it could mean my application getting delayed. When I was in line at the airport to get my study permit stamped, one of the girls with me in line did not have one supporting document and she was panicking which made me feel stressed too and I wanted to help her but I could not. When analysing the situation, there was no room to explain your situation or ask for any kind of exception because the rules were the same for everyone no matter what. I remember constantly going over my documents just to make sure nothing was wrong and the fear of making a mistake never really went away. I think this is what Weber means when he talks about bureaucracies being very controlled and predictable. But I also felt the dehumanizing part of it that he warns about. The whole process from start to finish never once felt personal and I felt like I was just another file being processed rather than an actual person with a story.

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An example of bureaucracy as discussed by Max Weber that I’ve encountered is learning how to drive, step three in Weber’s characteristics of bureaucracy. When learning how to drive there are standardized rules and procedures set in place to ensure safety on the road like understanding what current signs mean, how to properly watch for pedestrians, and so on. This is to overall teach individuals how to drive safely without being a danger to the rest of the people on the road or people on the sidewalks or bikes.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is the daycare where I work. According to Max Weber, bureaucracies operate through rules and procedures that help organizations run efficiently. One aspect of bureaucracy that I have experienced is the use of formal rules. At the daycare, staff members must follow specific policies for supervising children, recording attendance, and responding to emergencies. These rules help ensure the safety of the children and make sure everyone performs their responsibilities consistently.

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One example of bureaucracy I've encountered in my own life would be while working at my current job as a finance summer student. I am currently working at Mariposa Dairy, one of the largest goat and sheep cheese producers in north america. The step I most see and experience of bureaucracy at my workplace is specialization. I experience specialization often at my workplace as different unique projects are assigned to different members of our team. For me it is working with the finances of our customers and working with our sales team regarding anything we need. For others it's working with accounts receivables and accounts payables etc. each member of our team is given a specific role and job with tasks that accompany them.

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One example of bureaucracy, I’ve experience is going to college. The college manages thousands of students with their being an admissions side, professors teaching the courses and the upper management like ( dean, governor and president) setting the standards for the school. I experience it when I applied to the college and I submitted my application. The requirements was I needed  to either completed all my courses in high school in academic or applied to meet the requirements. The college has different steps you need to do when you apply. If you have any questions there is different departments you have to contact to get more information, which is the division of labour. The problem is the different departments have different times of operation and it leads to major confusion.

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I have experienced bureaucracy in my previous retail jobs. According to Max Weber, bureaucracies operate through formal rules, regulations, and procedures that help organizations function consistently and efficiently. One aspect of bureaucracy that I encountered was rules and regulations. There were many strict rules that employees were expected to follow, such as how to greet customers and how workplace procedures should be carried out. The rule that stood out most to me involved booking time off. At first, employees could request time off through the assistant manager if the main manager was not working. However, the policy later changed so that all time-off requests had to be approved directly by the main manager. This created a more formal process that everyone had to follow. This experience reflects Weber's idea that bureaucracies rely on established rules and procedures rather than personal decisions to maintain order and control within an organization.

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A clear example of Max Weber’s bureaucracy that I encounter regularly is the university system. We often used the term “bureaucracy” negatively to describe slow administrative processes, but Weber viewed it as a rational and structured way to manage large organizations fairly and consistently. One key future of bureaucracy I experience is management by rules. Weber explained that bureaucracies operate using formal, written rules to ensure decisions are consistent and not based on personal opinions or bias.

I see this in my own life when dealing with academic requirements such as course prerequisites, program rules, and course waivers. At Trent, students must follow specific program requirements before enrolling into certain courses. Some upper-year courses require that students complete prerequisite courses first. Even if a student feels prepared enough for the courses, they cannot enroll unless they meet the official requirements or receive special permission through proper process. Although these rules can sometimes feel restrictive, they reflect Weber’s idea that bureaucracies rely on formal regulations to create consistency and ensure that all students are held to the same academic standards.

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Bureaucracy is not always a bad thing, but it can lead to some counterintuitive and frustrating situations. I experienced a maddeningly literal interpretation of my company’s sick policy last year, which corresponds to Weber’s concept of bureaucratic rules and regulations. At my movie theatre, you have to inform the managers at least three hours before a shift if you aren’t coming in. I had a shift at 2pm, and woke up at 11am (well before my start time) feeling sick. Since I woke up already outside of that period, I was screwed, even though I was barely conscious, and hadn't done anything. I immediately called, but my call was two hours and fifty-five minutes before the shift, and I was informed by my manager that if I didn’t come in, I would get a write up; if you get three, you can be fired. Then my manager told me that I had another option: I could come in for my shift, and they could “send me home” if I was too sick to work, to avoid a write up. I found this beyond insulting, and declined; it would’ve been 90 minutes of travel by bus just to not work. The “solution” my manager suggested, and the fact that an exception couldn’t be made, points to a kind of system that prioritizes adherence to rules and standards over what actually makes sense from a personal point of view. The advantage to this approach is consistency, but this needs to be weighed against the experience of someone on the receiving end, if such policies are going to be truly beneficial to the company, and not, for example, create resentment between workers and managers.

--Graham

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As a healthcare worker, I would say that bureaucracy is very evident in the healthcare system, where professionals don't just rely on personal opinions or informal connections but adhere to institutional guidelines, professional norms, ethics, and documented procedures.

One step of bureaucracy I have experienced is the standard procedure a nurse follows before administering medication, known as the 8 rights of medication administration. These include checking patient identification, confirming the doctor’s instructions, and recording the treatment, etc., to avoid medication errors and promote patient safety. These steps reflect Weber’s bureaucracy because they show how authority is structured, how tasks are divided among professionals, and how rules are used to ensure consistency, efficiency, and safety, which are central features of bureaucratic organization.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is the process of applying for financial aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Bureaucracies, according to Max Weber, the organizations that operate through formal rules, procedures and hierarchy of authority. One step of this bureaucracy that I experienced was completing and submitting the application. To apply I had to provide specific information such as personal details, school info and financial documents. The application followed a standardized process that all students must complete, demonstrating Weber’s idea that bureaucracies rely on formal rules and procedures to ensure consistency and fairness. This step showed how they use guidelines to process large numbers of applications efficiently.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is my high school. Schools are considered bureaucracies because they have clear rules, a hierarchy of authority, and specific procedures that students and staff must follow.

One step of bureaucracy that I have experienced is the course registration process. Before each school year, students must select their courses and submit their choices through the school's system. The guidance department reviews the selections and approves schedules based on graduation requirements and course availability. This process follows formal rules and procedures, which is a key characteristic of bureaucracy according to Max Weber.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have personally experienced is the process of applying for student financial assistance under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).  The process is designed around hierarchy and authority, and each part of the application process is routed through a different level of hierarchy.  For example, the initial application details such as name, address and income are verified by one group.  Next, Trent University must verify my enrollment and the costs associated with it.  Trent University cannot approve or deny my request as their role is simply to provide information independent of me.  According to the application portal, the final decision is made by agents from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities who are the ultimate authority on eligibility and whether funds are released.  At no point, is there individual discretion.  This example fits well with Weber’s concept of bureaucracy as organizations that follow strict rules, adhere to hierarchy and use impersonal decision making.  Experiencing hierarchy personally through the application process makes it very clear that each level has specific authority and control.  The process is slow and rigid but by following it, the experience for all students is consistent and fair.

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One bureaucracy I’ve encountered in my own life is the process of obtaining a driver’s licence via ServiceOntario. This included making an appointment for and passing the written knowledge test. To do this I had to go through a very structured process. First I had to make an appointment through the official system, choose a free time slot and ensure I had the necessary identification documents on the test day. I also had to pay a fixed fee before sitting the test and follow all instructions at the testing centre without exception. This step is reflective of Max Weber’s idea of bureaucracy as it is very formal and rule oriented. It is the same procedures for all no matter the personal situation. Decisions are not made by personal judgment but by standardized rules. It’s also an impersonal process, which means the system treats all applicants the same way as a means of ensuring fairness and consistency.

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The most recent example would be Trent University itself. Last semester was my first at Trent, as I am a transfer student, which meant I had to arrange for my entrance scholarship to be confirmed. The scholarship was dependent on my grades from my former university, which meant that I had to go through an online system to obtain my official academic record. While submitting this request, I learned that, due to regulations, I could only obtain it through mail. Consequently, once I received the document, I scanned it in order to send it to Trent. However, Trent notified me that they did not accept scanned documents. This meant that I had to arrange for my former university to send another copy of my academic record directly to Trent.

This was a long and scrupulous process that showcased many characteristics and critiques of bureaucracy. First, both universities demonstrated strict rules and regulations regarding the format of documents. Throughout the process, I was never asked to speak to a person, which demonstrated the impersonality of bureaucracy. The forms I had to fill out were examples of formal written communication.

Additionally, once Trent received my documents and entered the record into my student account, I still had to separately notify the scholarships department, showcasing how individuals and departments have specialized roles and technical competence.

Although this process represented many characteristics of bureaucracy in an attempt to be as efficient as possible, its organization made the task much longer than necessary.

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One example of a bureaucracy that I have encountered in my own life is the university admissions process. Universities operate using many of the characteristics that Max Weber associated with bureaucracy, such as formal rules, organized procedures, specialized offices, and a hierarchy of authority.

One step of the bureaucracy that I experienced was the application verification process. After applying, students must provide official transcripts and documents that are reviewed by admissions staff before a decision is made. This process follows strict rules and procedures, and everyone is expected to complete the same steps regardless of personal circumstances. The process can sometimes feel impersonal because decisions are based heavily on standardized requirements and documentation rather than personal relationships. This reflects Weber’s idea that bureaucracies are designed to operate efficiently and fairly through formal rules and procedures.

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I have experienced bureaucracy in every job that I have ever worked. Specifically, that of rules and regulations. I have worked multiple customer service jobs; at every job, there was a specific script as to how we must greet customers. There was a strict, unspoken rule expressed through these scripts to keep every customer interaction an impersonal one. I have never fully understood this concept, as I find that, when I am out shopping at least, I have a better time if I am casually greeted, then left alone, instead of spoken to with a script in hopes that I will buy a specific item. One place I worked went so far as to install cameras with audio to ensure that we were utilizing the script they wanted us to use. Through the jobs I have worked, I have experienced strict rules and regulations, as well as harsh monitoring of these regulations at certain workplaces. - Madeleine Fargo

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In a large French brigade kitchen, I have experienced bureaucracy. There is a set list that we have to accomplish and each cook has to specialize in that preparation. I was a Commis I cook who took direct orders from the Chef De Partie, a higher position. The Chef De Partie had better culinary technique which follows the meritocracy of the bureaucratic kitchen. Of course, there were emotions involved with the demanding kitchen and we know that we can’t take emotions personally. It’s just service.

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Own Life Example of Bureaucracy: An example of bureaucracy that I have experienced in my life is the process of completing NARS (Non-Academic Requirements) for my nursing program at school. Before being accepted, I had academic requirements I had to maintain or do (a minimum 75% overall average, grade 12 U English, 12 U Biology, 12 U Chemistry, and 12 U math, with at least a 60% in English), and on top of that, before my clinical placement started, I had to complete Non-Academic requirements (MMR vaccine, Influenza vaccine, Two-step Tuberculosis skin test, CPR certification, N95 Mask Fit, Police Check, and GPA certification). All of these had to be completed and reviewed before a deadline, and it was up to us as a student to ensure these were done in time. Although it was out of our control if Police Checks weren't back in time, it did not matter- we just would not be able to do our first year clinical placement. This reflects Weber's idea of formal rules and regulations because every student had to follow the same procedures, and do the same tasks by the same deadline with no exceptions no matter external factors.

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In the example of health care and waiting to get into hospitals, I feel it is very step-by-step, as if I am part of a processing line. I was having an allergic reaction, and I remember having to fill out a clipboard of paper, do a breathing test, and having to sit in the waiting room for 4 hours while having an active allergic reaction. This is an example of impersonality, as the emotional aspect was removed, and I was treated like everyone else who had to wait to get in, regardless of how badly my allergic reaction was. There was no sense of urgency; it was as if they didn't care. I was just seen as another patient #.