Chapter 9: Administration and Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Overview

• Bureaucracy refers to a large organization of appointed officials responsible for implementing laws and policies; it serves as the permanent government compared to temporary elected officials.
• All large organizations, including the armed forces, schools, hospitals, and corporations, have bureaucracies, which primarily constitute the career civil service.

Max Weber’s Characteristics of Bureaucracy

• Hierarchical organization maintains a clear chain of command.
• Specialization promotes expertise in specific job roles.
• Appointment and hiring based on technical qualifications ensure competency.
• Fixed salaries offer consistent and predictable financial remuneration.
• Bureaucracy is a career, providing sole employment that encourages long-term service.
• Bureaucrats do not own the office and are subject to controls and discipline.
• Promotions are determined by assessments from superiors.

Functions of Bureaucracy

• Administration: Executes and enforces laws; implements public policies; educates the public about programs and services.
• Policy Formulation: Bureaucrats develop policies initiated by the legislature, crafting detailed proposals and routine business practices.
• Regulation: Civil servants update regulations annually to protect public welfare, exemplified by agencies like the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.
• Licensing: Government imposes standards through licensing, targeting illegal activities related to professions (e.g., teaching permits, vehicle licenses).
• Services: Various agencies, such as the Immigration Department, deliver essential public services.
• Information Gathering: Agencies collect data to inform policy decisions and enforce laws, illustrated by the Department of Statistics in Malaysia.

Control Mechanisms for Bureaucracy

• Executive Controls: Top political leaders control bureaucrats through appointments and budget funding, influencing management and operations.
• Administrative Controls: Internal processes ensure self-regulation within bureaucratic structures through coordination and discipline.
• Legislative Controls: Parliamentary commissions conduct inquiries into bureaucratic actions and uphold accountability, such as the Government Accountability Office in the US.
• Judicial Controls: Courts serve as watchdogs over bureaucratic performance, enabling citizens to challenge administrative conduct through legal mechanisms like writs.
• Constitutional Controls: Regulations require bureaucrats to respect fundamental rights outlined in national constitutions.
• Ombudsman: Designed to address citizen complaints about bureaucratic unfairness and arbitrariness, originating from Sweden and now present in multiple countries.
• Cutting: Politicians attempt to reduce bureaucratic sizes but face public resistance tied to program cuts.
• Decentralization: Local decision-making can relieve federal administration pressures but can also lead to increased corruption and inefficiency.
• Informal Controls: Media and public pressure groups provide informal checks on bureaucratic actions, empowering citizens to voice concerns through multiple channels.

Bureaucracy in the United States

• Approximately 15% of American civil servants are federal; total civil servants number about 21.5 million.
• Local governments employ around 15 million, while state governments hire about 4 million, highlighting local governance's significant role in public service delivery.