Aim: What are the characteristics of the federal bureaucracy?

Large, complex organization of appointed, not elected, officials. “bureau” – French for small desks, referring to the king’s traveling business men who set up small desks in town squares Bureaucracy = “government of small desks”

Max Weber Weber lamented the dehumanizing effects of bureaucracy He also believed it had rational advantages

Characteristics Hierarchical authority structure – chain of command Task specialization – individuals have unique jobs, division of labor Extensive rules – an efficient bureaucracy should have clear policies for the organization to follow Clear goals – an efficient bureaucracy should have a clearly defined mission

Merit principle – hiring and promotion based on qualities, no jobs for favors Impersonality – performance judged on productivity

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Criticism of Bureaucracy – pathologies “Red tape” – maze of gov rules, regulations, and paperwork that makes access to government overwhelming to citizens Conflict – agencies that often work toward opposite goals Duplication – agencies appear to do the same thing Unchecked growth (Imperialism) – agencies expand unnecessarily at high costs Waste – spending more than necessary Lack of accountability – difficulty in firing an incompetent bureaucrat

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