bureaucracy

Bureaucracy refers to an organizational model characterized by a hierarchical command structure, a clear division of labor, formally defined rules and procedures, impersonality in decision making, and merit-based career advancement. It is used in governmental agencies, large corporations, and other institutions to administer tasks and ensure consistency.

The concept is associated with Max Weber, who described bureaucracy as the most technically rational form of organization. In Weber's model, authority rests in defined offices rather than people, with fixed responsibilities, a stable career path, written rules, and professional administration. The aim is predictability, accountability, and efficiency in handling complex operations.

Functions include implementing policy, coordinating multiple activities, standardizing processes, maintaining records, and enabling continuity despite personnel changes. Benefits include regularization of operations, explanation-based decision criteria, and scalability in large organizations.

Criticisms focus on rigidity, inefficiency, and resistance to change, often labeled "red tape." Critics argue that excessive formalization can suppress creativity, hamper responsiveness, and create opportunities for bureaucratic inertia or corruption.

In practice, bureaucracies vary by sector and country. Reforms in many countries seek to improve performance through decentralization, performance measurement, and digital government; debates continue about balancing formal rules with flexibility and public accountability.