Administration and Bureaucracy

Front

The bureaucrats/civil servants

Back

According to finer, bureaucrats constitute a professional body of officials who are permanent, skilled, and paid.

They form the backbone of the government, ensuring the smooth functioning of administrative process.

Front

Civil servants are a career

Back

non-political officers

• - cannot go to politics

• - neutral and have to work under different ministers

• - considered experts

• -appointed and expected to remain in their post until they resign, die, or removed for misconduct or reach the age of retirement.

Front

Characteristics of bureaucracy

Back

1. 1. Specialization

2. 2. Hierarchy

3. 3. Formal

4. 4. Skilled

5. 5. Fixed salaries

6. 6. Impersonality

7. 7. Control and Discipline

Front

Specialization

Back

• Positive

• - A clear division of labor, with each officer specializing in a specific task.

• -Each individual has a defined area of competence and is responsible for performing a particular role within estabalished boundaries

• Negative

• - A tendency for individual to develop blind spots.

• - a failure to recognize unique or specific issues in an individual's case

• - lack of awareness or understanding of what individuals in other departments are doing

Front

positive hierarchy

Back

• - a hierarchical structure, with each officer being under the supervision of a higher-ranking official

• - provides clarity regarding who is in command, ensuring that there is a clear chain of authority and responsibility

Front

Negative hierarchical

Back

• - lack flexibility, which may hinder responsiveness and adaptability, especially in fast-changing situations

• - a low-level officer may feel deprived of a voice in decision-making, which can lead to frustration and disengagement

• - allow for the concealment of mistakes or inefficiencies at higher levels of the organization

• - Individuals may feel less inclined to report or address issues out of fear of reprimand or failure to uphold the chain of command.

Front

Positive Formal

Back

• - Formal written rules

• - Required to write detailed reports and process files according to established written guidelines, ensuring consistency and standard procedures across the system

• - Ensures uniformity and clear standards in governance.

• -provides a valuable sense of continuity in government policies

• -know exactly what is expected of them, reducing ambiguity and ensuring that tasks are carried out systemically

Front

Negative aspect of formal

Back

• - Stop individual initiative and creativity, as employees may feel constrained by the rigid structure.

• - May not effectively address unique situations or achieve organizational objectives.

• - may not be flexible enough to handle rapidly changing situations, resulting in delays or ineffective responses

Front

Skilled

Back

- Appointed rather than elected

- Hiring based on technical qualifications rather than political allegiance

- helps reduce petty rivalries and discourages favouritism, ensuring that government officials are elected based on their skills and expertise.

Front

Positive aspect of Fixed salaries

Back

-Receive salaries according to their rank

• - Pay is standardized based on the responsibilities and seniority of the role.