A celebration of bureaucrats and bureaucracy. Whether in government, business, or non-profits, meetings, reports, meetings, conferences, reports, and meetings constitute daily life in a large organization.
Bureaucracy is always there. The paperwork never ages, it never changes, it never disappoints. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, you might as well love and cherish it because it will be with you until death. The final part your heirs are required to do for you. Love … Continue reading COB-28: bureaucracy better than spouse
One of the bureaucrats on the staff here at the Carnival of the Bureaucrats observed with pride some time ago the head of an important government agency entering his agency’s headquarters. At the headquarters’ entrance are guards who check ID badges after persons swipe through an electronic badge machine. After clearing the electronic badge machine, … Continue reading COB-27: respecting job assignments
Important recent economic research has affirmed the foundations of bureaucracy. You might think that more home-based labor-saving technology would decrease the amount of time spent on work within the home (home production). That is not true. A thorough and careful study of available data shows that “per capita time spent in home production increased slightly … Continue reading COB-26: bureaucracy begins at home
Fast-paced, consumerist society emphasizes functionalism and results. Hungry? Go to a fast-food restaurant. Want to do something? Figure out how to get it done quickly and with the least amount of effort. The value of everything is instrumental. Bureaucracy, in contrast, emphasizes the artistic and the beautiful. Long-time bureaucrats have deep appreciation for forms and … Continue reading COB-25: forms
Bureaucrats are many — a vast force of employees around the world. But many does not imply mediocrity. Almost all bureaucrats receive above average ratings in their annual performance evaluations. Moreover, bureaucrats, while typically self-effacing, have high ideals. Discipline, precision, loyalty, determination, and fortitude in the face of attacks are all central to the bureaucratic … Continue reading COB-24: the many