Bureaucracy Flashcards
what is the importance of bureaucracy?
states are linked to bureaucracy, politicians cannot achieve anything without it
what are two historic examples of bureaucratic reforms?
United States: 1883 Pendleton Act (bureaucratic hiring practices)
Iceland: 2010-2013 Civil Reform (after 2008 crisis)
what are Max Weber’s three important characteristics that modern bureaucracy must have?
- Hierarchical organisation with carefully defined division of tasks
- Career-based personnel recruited on the basis of merit
- Impersonal application of rules
what is meant by “hierarchical organisation with carefully defined division of tasks”?
-each of the administrative parts and departments of the state are specialised in their own fields = well oiled machine
-there is a chain of command
what is meant by “career-based personnel recruited on the basis of merit”?
-bureaucrats are permanently appointed, receiving fix salaries and enjoying some benefits
-promotion occurs on the basis of seniority (time spent in service)
what are the two types of systems for hiring bureaucrats?
-merit system
-political (patronage) system
what is the merit system for hiring bureaucrats?
bureaucrats are hired based on their professional qualifications and competence, and are not fired for political reasons
what is the political (patronage) system for hiring bureaucrats?
bureaucrats are hired and fired based on support or membership of a particular political party, group or individual
what is meant by “impersonal application of rules”?
-bureaucrats should conduct business not on political references but on rules of conduct
-bureaucratic decisions are recorded and tracked
-bureaucrats are treated procedurally and equally
what are the five main promises of Weberian bureaucracy?
- effectiveness
- efficiency
- equal treatment of citizens
- impersonal application of rules
- merit principles as a basis of recruitment
what is meant by “effectiveness” as a promise of Weberian bureaucracy?
ensures that things actually get done
what is meant by “efficiency” as a promise of Weberian bureaucracy?
ensures that things get done at a low cost
what is meant by “merit principles as a basis of recruitment” as a promise of Weberian bureaucracy?
supposed to protect citizens from all types of discrimination (class, gender, race, etc.)
what are the three problems with modern bureaucracy?
- dictatorship of the official
- fragmentation
- proliferation
what is meant by “dictatorship of the official” as a problem with modern bureaucracy?
permanent bureaucrats become so powerful that they decide what politicians do
supposed to be the other way around