Abstract:

Modern societies depend upon bureaucracies to administer their governmental affairs. Despite earlier predictions of the demise of bureauc-racy, it is still alive and has strengthened its power. There exists a set of complex and sometimes paradoxical relationships between bureaucracy and democracy. On the one hand, bureaucracies create difficulties and pose threats for democracies, on the other hand, they are indispensable features for the achievement of democratic ideals. This article highlights some of the unsettled controversies between bureaucracy and democracy in the related literature by taking into account of historical developments. Next, to what extent are bureaucracy and democracy compatible with each other is a question that is discussed in the analysis. In the end, some suggestions particularly an accountability perspective, a viable solution for the problems discussed, are analyzed to make bureaucracy conducive to democracy.

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