(a) Explain the term bureaucracy. (b) State five functions of a modern civil service.

Answer Details

(a) Meaning of bureaucracy

Bureaucracy refers to a system of administration in which the day to day business of government or a large organisation is carried out by trained, permanent and appointed officials arranged in a clear hierarchy of offices, each with defined duties, and operating according to fixed rules and procedures. The term is commonly used to describe the civil service, the body of professional public servants who advise the political heads and implement government policies. Its features include hierarchy of authority, specialisation and division of labour, impersonality, adherence to written rules, and permanence of officials. The idea was systematically analysed by the German sociologist Max Weber.

(b) Five functions of a modern civil service

1. Implementation of government policies: The civil service carries out and puts into effect the decisions and programmes made by the political executive.
2. Advising the government: Civil servants, because of their expertise and experience, advise ministers on the formulation of policies and the likely consequences of various options.
3. Provision of essential services: They deliver public services such as education, health, water, roads, security and other social amenities to the citizens.
4. Maintaining continuity and stability of administration: Being permanent, the civil service ensures that governance continues smoothly even when political governments change hands.
5. Collection of revenue and management of public finance: Civil servants assess and collect taxes, customs and other revenue and manage government expenditure.
6. Record keeping and provision of information: They keep official records, statistics and documents which serve as the memory of government and aid decision making.
7. Preparation of the national budget and drafting of bills: They assist in preparing estimates and drafting legislation for the legislature.