Controlling Bureaucracies

Controlling Bureaucracies: Dilemmas in Democratic Governance offers a deep dive into the challenges and complexities of reconciling democratic ideals with the increasing influence of bureaucratic institutions. This book critically examines how modern democracies can maintain accountability and public control over unelected bureaucrats who wield significant power in shaping public policy. With vivid examples and rigorous analysis, the text explores the tension between the efficiency of bureaucracies and the democratic principle of government by the people. From the delegation of decision-making power to mechanisms for oversight and accountability, the book outlines the evolving strategies for achieving democratic control in an age of sprawling administrative structures.

Key themes include the rise of bureaucratic autonomy, the challenges of aligning bureaucratic actions with public expectations, and the need for innovative approaches to governance. Through interdisciplinary insights, the author addresses the broader implications of these dynamics for democratic theory and practice. Whether analyzing historical developments or proposing frameworks for contemporary governance, Controlling Bureaucracies is an essential resource for policymakers, scholars, and anyone concerned with the future of democracy in a bureaucratized world.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1987.