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A hypothetical bureaucracy that represents all the characteristics of a bureaucracy would be what Weber called

A. Ideal type
B. Rational type
C. Utopian type
D. Normative type

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Final answer:

A hypothetical bureaucracy with all classic characteristics would be called an "Ideal type" according to Max Weber. This term refers to a model for comparative analysis, rather than the best or most desirable form.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hypothetical bureaucracy that represents all the characteristics of a bureaucracy would be what Max Weber called an Ideal type. An ideal type is a conceptual model that describes a collection of characteristics that most examples of the item under discussion share. In sociology, this term does not mean "best" but rather refers to a generalized model or a construct that serves for comparative analysis.

Max Weber, a pioneering sociologist, defined bureaucracies as having a hierarchy of authority, a clear division of labor, explicit rules, and impersonality. Weber saw bureaucracies as necessary for a modern, complex society, but he also believed they could become overly rigid and dehumanizing, a concept he referred to as the "iron cage." While bureaucracies aim for efficiency, they can also be criticized for being slow-moving or impersonal, creating challenges for individual agency within society.