Office Space: The Hierarchy Of Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy is an organization that focuses on a system of government in which the authority within the bureaucracy is a hierarchy which shows who clearly is in change. . “First, authority is hierarchically structured, making a clear chain of command. Second, selection of personal is competitive and based on demonstrated merit. Third, a specialized division of labor allows for the more efficient completion of assigned tasks. Fourth, bureaucracies are governed by formal, impersonal rules that regulate all facets of the organization.” (Appelrouth, pg. 176) In other words, this system of government is based on rationalization. Most of the important decisions are made by high ranked officials. These high ranked officials are non-elected government …show more content…
Peter feels trapped in this “iron cage” which can be symbolized by the cubicle he works in and the job he absolutely hates. Bill Lumbergh, one of eight bosses, takes advantage of the system through rational-legal domination by making Peter come in on Saturday and Sundays. Bureaucracy has given Lumbergh the power that allows him to treat the workers poorly and unfairly, by demanding workers to do all the work while he does nothing but walk around and fire people. It is not until Peter is hypnotized which is when he finally realize that he is a part of mechanical solidarity. Peter, his workers, and even the girl he likes named Joanna are all stuck in the organization that leaves them feeling like their work is meaningless, boring and repetitive. The characters have no interdependence and solely spend all their time and effort pleasing their boss that doesn’t do any work. “Iron cage” could also be seen at Chotchkie’s, the nearby chain restaurant where the Peter and his coworkers go on their break, where the servers had to follow the company's rule of wearing enough flairs. It was not until after the Peter was hypnotized until he realized how important his independence was and soon noticed how alienated he was from his work. Weber viewed bureaucracy as essential to industrial capitalism, but noted that the rationality of bureaucratic workplaces often turn us into "specialists without spirit, sensualists without heart", in other words the workers became in this trans that their work was meaningless causing them to feel no self-worth or importance in life. Once Peter was freed from this “iron cage” he then found himself careless and stress-free. He is now able to do and get what he wants in life. This is when he really starts to enjoy his life how he wants to. He has now escaped the “iron cage” and then encourages his coworkers to do