Bureaucracy is a system of organization in which laws, rules, or regulatory authority are implemented by civil servants or non-elected officials, typically within a hierarchical and formal structure. It is characterized by complexity, division of labor, permanence, professional management, strict chain of command, and rule-based procedures rather than personal relationships or discretion
. Originally, bureaucracy referred mainly to government administration staffed by non-elected officials, but today it applies to any large institution-public or private-that operates through centralized, hierarchical coordination and control
. Examples include government agencies, corporations, schools, and nonprofit organizations
. Key features of bureaucracy include:
- Hierarchical authority where decisions flow from top to bottom
- Formal rules and procedures that govern operations
- Impersonality, meaning decisions are made based on rules, not personal ties
- Specialized roles and division of labor
- Emphasis on procedural correctness and consistency
The German sociologist Max Weber viewed bureaucracy as the most efficient and rational form of organization, necessary to maintain order, maximize efficiency, and eliminate favoritism. However, he also warned that excessive bureaucracy could trap individuals in an "iron cage" of impersonal rule-based control
. Criticisms of bureaucracy often focus on its rigidity, slow decision-making, excessive rules ("red tape"), and potential inefficiency. Bureaucratic systems may resist innovation and be backward-looking, protecting established power structures rather than adapting to change
. In summary, bureaucracy is an organizational system designed to manage large institutions through hierarchical authority and formal rules, aiming for efficiency and fairness but often criticized for inflexibility and complexity.
