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.

Political Science

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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

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Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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With respect to women in politics, __________.

A. the number of women serving in legislatures is increasing B. the number of women serving in political party leadership positions is increasing C. they tend to be softer on tough foreign policy issues than their male counterparts D. they are more peaceful and less committed to state sovereignty than male leaders

Political Science