AO3

• Strength 😊: Weber's ideas are valuable because they highlight the way in which structural factors are overemphasised by structural theories, showing that we must also understand an actor's subjective meanings if we want to explain their behaviour. (Second level, level of meaning).
• Weakness 😭: Weber's view of action is too individualistic and doesn't explain the shared nature of meanings, (functionalists argue that shared norms and values create these meanings). Phenomenologists critique Weber because of this.
• Weakness 😭: Weber's typology draws strict boundaries between different types of action, ignoring how one action may be categorised as more than one type. E.g. Marriage may be classed as as traditional action as it has been practiced over many generations, but also affectual action as it expresses the emotion of love.
• Weakness 😭: Marxists critique Weber for neglecting the issues of class struggle and inequality. They argue that focusing on individual agency ignores the broader economic forces shaping behaviour. E.g. carrying out behaviour which is seen as desirable (value rational action) may be limited by material deprivation.
• Weakness 😭: Feminists critique Weber for underestimating how the patriarchy influences individual actions. E.g. traditional action is arguably shaped by patriarchal norms and values and functions to uphold the patriarchy, like segregated conjugal roles.