What is Bureaucracy?

Bureaucracy is a formal organizational arrangement characterized by division of labor, exercise of authority through a vertical hierarchy, and a system of internal rules and regulations. Bureaucracy often refers to the administrative branch of government and individual administrative agencies.

We are less conscious of the role of bureaucracy under other more routine circumstances. Much bureaucratic decision making is obscure or just not directly meaningful to most of us. Some of the most important work of government agencies takes place away from public view. Yet everyone has a general opinion—usually negative—about bureaucracy and politics.

Regardless of our level of awareness (or frustration) concerning bureaucratic activities or decisions, the institution of bureaucracy sparks strong emotions among millions of Americans. It has even been suggested that the language of bureaucracy (its jargon) has harmed the English language. In one way or another, most of us are familiar with government bureaucracy.

Mention of “the bureaucracy” usually evokes a strong response; bureaucrats are unpopular with many of those they serve. Bureaucracy has been blamed for many of society’s current ills, for several reasons. Government agencies are clearly influential, and in all but a handful of cases, bureaucrats are not elected by the public. They are convenient and increasingly visible targets who in most instances cannot be removed from office by popular vote.

We hear a great deal about the growing power of bureaucracy and bureaucrats. The arbitrary nature of many decisions, lack of accountability, questionable ethics, poor service quality, and impersonal treatment are some of the stereotypes of bureaucracy. Expressions of trust or mistrust in government largely reflect feelings about the condition of the economy and the incumbent national administration.