Aspects of Autonomy in the Bureaucratic Vocation

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Abstract

Contemporary populist politics have forced a reconsideration of the role of bureaucracy in governance. While problems such as red tape persist, the stability and even inertia of the bureaucracy have become a virtue when compared with authoritarian populism. This chapter examines the changing role of the bureaucracy in government and does so through the lens of bureaucratic autonomy. In addition, this chapter returns to Max Weber's conception of the vocation of the bureaucrat to better elucidate the positive role that bureaucrats can play in democratic governance.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Bureaucratic Autonomy : Politics, Resources, Power
EditorsB. Guy Peters
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Publication date2025
Pages352-369
Chapter22
ISBN (Print)9781803927039
ISBN (Electronic)9781803927046
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025
SeriesElgar Handbooks in Public Administration and Management

Keywords

  • Contemporary populism
  • Democratic governance
  • The vocation of the bureaucrat
  • Changing role of bureaucracy
  • Authoritarian populism

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