Bureaucracy - Define Bureaucracy - Main characteristics of bureaucracy - Edupedia

Origin of the word Bureaucracy:

Bureaucracy is a hybrid word of French and Greek language. The word “bureau” is a French word which means desk and the word “kratein” is a Greek word which means to rules. So, by combing the both words we can get the sense of “Ruling from a desk”.

Bureaucracy:

            The executive department of the state which runs the functions of the state is commonly known as bureaucracy. In bureaucratic form of system, most of the functions of the state are run by the state officials rather than the elected representatives of the state. These high level officials are considered as the pillars of the policy implementation. They have a great field experience of the relevant field.

Definition:

A bureaucracy is an administrative, government, or social system with a hierarchical structure and complex rules and regulations.

Bureaucracy is a formal form of structure in which, there are strict rules and regulation, administrated by the centralized command with hierarchy of authority and rational division of labor.


 


Bureaucracy gives the sense of a form of the complex structure, division of the labor, high level profession management, hierarchical system of coordination and control, highly strict chain of command with legal authority. In other words, bureaucracy is a formal structure in which rules and regulations are highly followed rather than informal or friendly structure. Usually government high level officials are known as bureaucracy but it can also be found in private sector especially in large size of corporations.


Characteristics of Bureaucracy:

A German well known sociologist Max Weber recommended that the bureaucracy is the best system for the large scale organizations for maintaining the rules and regulations and increasing in the efficiency. According to his model the main characteristics of the bureaucracy are:

  • Bureaucracy is a chain of command and hierarchy of authority in which the top level management, administrator or bureaucrat owns the ultimate authority.
  • The rational division of labor, settling specific job for each worker.
  • The goals and objective of the organization are clearly defined.
  • Formal working procedures.
  • Strict rules and regulations.
  • Rules and regulations are in written form and every employee is bind to follow.
  • The performance of the workers is judged by the performance productivity.
  • Promotion is based on merit system.

 

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