A bureaucracy is a group of non-elected governing officials and administrative policy makers that serve to administer government. Historically, bureaucracy has referred to government administration that is managed by departments staffed by non-elected officials. Its main function is to manage and implement governmental policies.
In a world where information technology is ubiquitous and quick and efficient processes are crucial to business success, bureaucracies are often the bane of entrepreneurial ventures. While unicorns only make up a small portion of economies, bureaucracy is the bane of entrepreneurial ventures. In one recent example, an IT vendor went from having six employees to employing more than 600 people.
In a bureaucratic society, rules are the basis of all decisions. They give organizations a rational basis to function, and rules are codified in organization files. These codified rules and precedents are the basis for bureaucratic decisions and procedures. Although most people hate rules, they are essential for maintaining order and rationality.
Governments often organize their bureaucracy in hierarchical levels, with the top administrators, undersecretaries, and bureaus within these divisions. Some bureaus have several levels of divisions and offices, while some have multiple subdivisions. Additionally, some bureaucracies are staffed with specialized agencies with specific interests in society.
Bureaucracies are often built on the notion that an organization’s employees have specific job responsibilities. It is difficult for them to be flexible and responsive to changes and new ideas. In addition, hierarchies make it impossible to make a decision based on sensitivity to problems on the ground. While these rules help the organization to maintain continuity, they can also hinder creativity and drive.
The federal government is also a bureaucratic organization. The executive branch of government employs approximately 2.1 million civilians (not including military personnel). Most government employees have little change power. Even the most important decisions need to go through several levels of approval before they are implemented. This means that there is a high level of bureaucracy.
Many governments have implemented reforms to improve administrative processes. The goal of modernizing state affairs is to ensure that the administrative apparatus can extract revenue efficiently. In many cases, reforms were based on a meritocratic or universalistic structure. Such systems protect government officials from corruption, shirking, and patronage.
Bureaucracies also offer stability and job security. These types of organizations are typically well-established and have procedures for hiring and firing employees. Employees who perform their jobs well may be in a position to stay for many years. There is also room for advancement. In addition, bureaucracies are generally run by rules and regulations that ensure unbiased treatment of workers.
In the 18th century, Louis XIV established a professional corps of officials to administer the state. This profession was soon followed by the development of a modern nation-state. By the mid-18th century, Vincent de Gournay coined the term bureaucracy, which means “writing desk.” The Meiji Restoration in Japan centralized the state and created a powerful bureaucracy. In Britain, however, the amateur administrative function was maintained well into the nineteenth century.