State Bereaucracy
Background
Bureaucracy is a method of organizing people and work that is based on the principles of hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules. As a form of organization, bureaucracy is the most efficient means of getting people to work together on tasks of great magnitude and complexity (Patterson, 2003). At present bureaucrats are known in different names like permanent executive, non- political executive, civil servants, public servants, officialdom, departmental government etc.
All state bureaucracies are someway organized based on a definite purpose or functions. This is achieve through the construction of departments, ministries and agencies charged with responsibility for particular policy areas like education, defense, agriculture etc. The number of such departments and agencies varies over time and from state to state. In the bureaucratic system, the works of the department or organization are divided among the employees in such a way that each employee has only a certain part of the work to perform. In this way, the employee repeatedly performs certain job and becomes efficient at it. In every bureaucracy, there is a hierarchy or chain of command, where those at higher levels supervise officials at lower levels. The management of the organization is based upon written documents or files. Since nothing concerning the office is private, every transaction, decision, and order is recorded which help in efficient decision making in future. Management follows a set of rules, which are made known to all employees of the organization. Rules are equally applicable to everyone and they prevent any type of arbitrariness. Salaries are fixed for employees and there is a provision for pension, Provident Fund to take care of the employee when he retires from service. The officials are expected to carry out their duties without allowing themselves to be influenced by their personal likes and dislikes. The employee must treat all clients equally.
Bureaucracy is a method of organizing people and work that is based on the principles of hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules. As a form of organization, bureaucracy is the most efficient means of getting people to work together on tasks of great magnitude and complexity (Patterson, 2003). At present bureaucrats are known in different names like permanent executive, non- political executive, civil servants, public servants, officialdom, departmental government etc.
All state bureaucracies are someway organized based on a definite purpose or functions. This is achieve through the construction of departments, ministries and agencies charged with responsibility for particular policy areas like education, defense, agriculture etc. The number of such departments and agencies varies over time and from state to state. In the bureaucratic system, the works of the department or organization are divided among the employees in such a way that each employee has only a certain part of the work to perform. In this way, the employee repeatedly performs certain job and becomes efficient at it. In every bureaucracy, there is a hierarchy or chain of command, where those at higher levels supervise officials at lower levels. The management of the organization is based upon written documents or files. Since nothing concerning the office is private, every transaction, decision, and order is recorded which help in efficient decision making in future. Management follows a set of rules, which are made known to all employees of the organization. Rules are equally applicable to everyone and they prevent any type of arbitrariness. Salaries are fixed for employees and there is a provision for pension, Provident Fund to take care of the employee when he retires from service. The officials are expected to carry out their duties without allowing themselves to be influenced by their personal likes and dislikes. The employee must treat all clients equally.
References: Dasgupta, R. (2011). 8 essential characteristics of Bureaucracy in India. Retrieved 17 April, 2012 from http://www.preservearticles.com/201104265944/8-essential-characteristics-of-bureaucracy-in-india.html. Haque, M.S. (2004). Governance and Bureaucracy in Singapore: Contemporary Reforms and Implications Retrieved 15 april, 2012 from http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN025143.pdf Kinga, S. (2009). Polity,kingship and democracy: A biography of Bhutanese state. Thimphu: Bhutan Times Limited. Mathou, T. (n.d). The Politics of Bhutan: Change in Continuity. Retrieved 15 April, 2012 from http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_02_02_09.pdf Petterson, T. E. 2009. The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government. Retrieved 15 April, 2012 from http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0073378968/student_view0/chapter13/chapter_overview.html PTI. (2012). Indian bureaucrats have 'terrific powers ', rated worst in Asia. Retrieved 18 April, 2012 from http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/india/30615745_1_malaysia-indian-bureaucrats-global-competitiveness-report Qadri, S.H.M. (n.d). Analysing role of bureaucracy. Retrieved 17 April, 2012 from http://www.minhaj.org/english/tid/9658/Analysing-role-of-bureaucracy.html RCSC. (2005). Civil service milestone. Retrieved 10th April 2012 from http://www.rcsc.gov.bt/Milestone.asp SparkNotes Sun-chi, L. (2010). Reform of the civil service not a bad thing. Retrieved 14 April, 2012 from http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2010/05/18/2003473226 Tay, J. (n.d). Public Service Reforms in Singapore. Retrieved 15 April, 20112 from file:///C:/Users/Sangay%20Fabregas%20Wang/Desktop/PUBLIC%20SERVICE%20REFORMS%20IN%20SINGAPORE.htm UNDP. (1997). Administrative country reforms of five Asian countries China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Thailand