What kind of connotation does the term bureaucracy have and why does it embody a contradiction? Do you agree or disagree with common conceptions?
What will be an ideal response?
The word comes from the French word bureau and has roots in the fourteenth century. It has long been viewed negatively for a variety of reasons. Among them is the sense that much power is in the hands of the inept minority. The contradiction embodied in the term bureaucracy is that the term is simultaneously viewed in opposite ways. It is seen as a “red-tape-bound set of civil servants” who are unable to do anything to help citizens: Imagine calling the Social Security Administration and being put on hold for hours. At the same time, the word makes one think of extremely efficient officials who are powerfully sidestepping the will of the people in their arbitrary decision making.
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The U.S. president convenes a meeting of economic advisors to develop a plan for spending the federal budget surplus. The president's action best illustrates
a. agenda building. b. policy formulation. c. policy adoption. d. policy evaluation. e. policy implementation.
What is not one of the constraints the Declaration of Independence cites as necessary for a king to wield legitimate power?
a. A legislative branch that controls taxes b. An independent judiciary c. An advisory council d. Civilian control of the military e. Respect for the rights of citizens