Bureaucracy and Administrative System

Bureaucracy is ta type of organization designed to accomplish large-scale administration tasks by

systematically coordinating the work of many individuals.
“It is the best form of organization. As an organization, it substitutes a rule of law for a
rule based on the whims of those who happen to govern” – Max Weber
Colloquially, the term bureaucracy has become an epithet which reflects inefficiency and
red tape in the government.” – Peter Blau
“It is reflected in certain forms of organization: hierarchy, subdivision, specialization,
fixed way of doing things and professionalization” Marshal Dimock

Certain Conditions of Bureaucratic Development

 A civilization must reach a certain degree of maturity before bureaucracies emerge to
exert a significant influence on the life patterns of people in a society
 When Max Weber defined bureaucracy, he saw it as the most efficient form of
organization
 The increasing complex organization can be simplified by breaking down its structure
into manageable parts.
 Bureaucratic structures in institutions are not necessarily confined to political
organizations
 In an article, S.N. Eisentadt discusses the conditions within a society which the
framework of the development of bureaucratic organization applies
 As Scott and Mitchell argue: the society as a whole must be in a position to supply the
resources for support of bureaucratic organizations.
Characteristics of Bureaucracy
1. Positions and offices are clearly defined
2. Hierarchical arrangement of authority, rights and obligations are specifically drawn
3. The personnel are selected on the basis of technical or professional qualifications
4. There are defined rules governing official behavior
5. Security of tenure and the pursuit of a career with promotion in the hierarchy are assured
Characters within bureaucracy
1. Recognition of Labor
2. Centralization of Authority
Elements of Ideal Type of Bureaucracy
1. Division of Labor - based upon functional specialization
2. Hierarchy of Authority – well defined
3. System of Rules – covering the rights and duties of positional incumbents
 4. System of Procedures – for dealing with work situations
5. Impersonality – interpersonal relations
6. Promotion and Selection for Employment – based on technical potential
Strong and Weak Points
Bureaucracy must change significantly if it is to continue as a functional element of modern
society – Warren G. Bennis
The “old style” bureaucracy is eminently suitable for managing the routine and predicable in
human affairs
Major fault of bureaucracy is it has difficulty in changing ways.
Six Forces by Scott and Mitchell
1. Acceleration in Change
2. Increasing technological sophistication
3. Growing organization complexity
4. Changing character of the workforce
5. Growing expectation of the new employee
6. Disenchantment with traditional authority

Components of Philippines Administrative System

 Public Organization
 Internal Procedures
 Responsible for implementing public policies
 Conscious of the different kinds of clientele
 Socio-political, economic environment
 Constitutional Bodies
 Executive Departments
 Government Owned Companies
 Chartered Institutions
 Special Agencies or Offices
 Local Government Units
Sources
 Instrument of the state
 Enforcer and implementer of public policy
 Service delivery system
 Participant in policy formulation
 Technical expertise
 Nationwide presence
  Capability building

Characteristics of Philippine Bureaucracy

1. Vulnerability to Nepotism – underlying Philippine bureaucracy are substructures of small
kinship groups
2. Perpetuation of the spoils system – the passage of the civil service law has set up, besides
classified service, unclassified and temporary positions
3. Apathetic public reaction to bureaucratic misconduct – the almost daily publication of
official misconduct become a part of “normalcy”
4. Availability of external peaceful means of correcting bureaucratic weaknesses
5. Survival of historical experience – centralized in organization, the Philippine political
bureaucracy was administered according to a civil law system which the Spanish
bureaucracy prescribed.
6. Non-special typing of bureaucrats – Filipinos do not comprise a clear-cut social class
7. Lack of independence from politics – the Philippine bureaucracy’s merit system was
easily subject to attack and tampering by politicians
8. Essential instruments of social change – primarily, it will have to be a tool for
innovations.
Transformation of Philippine Bureaucracy
In the transformation of Philippine bureaucracy as an instrument of national development,
several issues have arisen:
1. Bureaucratic resistance to change
2. Socio-economic, political cultural and economic constraints
Types of behavior of the Philippine bureaucracy
1. Conformity to Policies
2. Preference toward continuity and routinization
3. Loss of self-direction or self-assertion
4. Politically supportive