Bureaucracy: Features, Structures, and Criticisms
Bureaucracy, as defined by Max Weber, aims for efficiency but often faces criticism for its rigid rules and potential pitfalls. Explore the key features, organizational structures, importance, and criticisms of the ideal-type bureaucracy. Understand how bureaucracy impacts policy formulation, service delivery, and governance. Delve into the complexities of bureaucratic systems and their implications in political science and public administration.
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Presentation Transcript
Lecturer: Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Department of Political Science College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 2016/2017
Bureaucracy Defined The term is used derogatorily to connotes red-tepeism and the needless following of excessive long and winding rules and procedures that breeds delays, undermine productivity and incur public displeasure However, Max Weber who formulated the Ideal-Type meant well. He wanted an orderly conduct of state business in a manner that promotes efficiency and productivity More generally, however, bureaucracy refers to a complex organization assigned to perform specific task and in politics, it is known as the administrative machinery of the state comprising the massed ranks of civil servants and public officials who are charged with the task of assisting in formulating and execution of government policies and business Slide 2 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG
It is for example practiced in Britain while the Features of The Ideal-Type Bureacracy The Ideal-Type Bureaucracy has the following features Rational and Calculable Rules Impersonality Permanence Anonymity Neutrality Meritocracy Proper Filing system Slide 3 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG .
Bureaucratic Structures Government bureaucracies are organized into a variety of institutions. There are three main organizational forms through which bureaucratic authority is exercised. These organizational forms are: Government Departments; Regulatory Agencies; and State-Owned Corporations A key distinction among these bureaucratic structures has to do with the extent to which each of them is subject to ministerial control and direction Slide 4 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Importance of the Ideal-Type Bureacracy Effective formulation and implementation of policies Effective delivery of services and increased productivity Democratic as in treats all equal Certainty of rules and precision in decision making Reduction of the use of abusive discretion Slide 5 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Criticism of the Ideal-Type Bureaucracy Rigid application of rules ushers bureaucrats into a regime of robots It undermines the use of worker discretion It disregard the invaluable role and contributions of informal rules and dysfunctional relations It leads to unnecessary delays in service delivery It breeds corruption and bribery It makes bureaucrats abusive, overly powerful and dictatorial in their dealings with the public Some bureaucrats may also hide under the cloak of anonymity to ill-advice and sabotage governments Slide 6 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Political Control of the Bureaucracy Even though bureaucrats are powerful and are expected to play a role as the administrative machinery, they are subject to the control of politicians. Politicians do so through the following mechanisms: Turnover of senior bureaucrats by new governments The use of personal advisers and aides Having clear policy objectives and hence not making use of bureaucrats Appointing a lot of ministers with no potfolios Slide 7 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Challenges of the Bureaucracy in Ghana Weak supervision Colonial legacy against the public service Absenteeism Tardiness Nepotism, Favoritism Political Interference Unqualified personnel Corruption Slide 8 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Image of the Bureaucracy . Slide 9 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Some More Images of Bureaucratic Practices Slide 10 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Reading List Refer to Unit 4, pp. 65-83 of Poli 112 (Political Institutions) Modules Gyampo, R.E.V. The state of Political Institutions in Ghana, (Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing Inc. 2012) pp. 118-132 Slide 11 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
Concluding Remark THANK YOU R.E.V GYAMPO Slide 12 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG
