Economic Definition of bureaucracy. Defined.
Offline Version: PDF
Term bureaucracy Definition: A system or rules and procedures designed to operate a complex organization. While most people look to government when the term bureaucracy arises (and make no mistake, government is not shy when it comes to complex bureaucracies), bureaucracies exist in all types of organizations -- private, public, government, business, charities, corporations, even households. The problem economists have with bureaucracies is that rigid, administrative rules often drive a wedge between action and responsibility. The clerk at the welfare counter is only following rules established by Congress. The clerk has no authority to change the rules, and Congress seldom if ever sees the consequences of their rules.
« Bureau of Labor Statistics | bureaucrat »
Permalink: https://glossary.econguru.com/economic-term/bureaucracy