Reading Theme:
Bureaucracy Definition, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：red tape (bureaucracy)
bureaucracy
/bjʊˈrɑːkrəsi/
n.
The complicated rules and many steps that make getting things done in a big organization or government very slow and frustrating.
red tape
➕
/rɛd teɪp/
n.
This refers to the frustrating and time-consuming procedures and rules in large organizations or governments that slow down processes.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From French 'bureau' (desk) + Greek 'kratos' (rule), literally 'desk rule'.
💡 Mnemonic
Bureau (desk) + crazy = bureaucracy drives you crazy with endless forms.
📖 Example
Applying for a visa involves so much bureaucracy-endless forms, long queues, and waiting weeks for an answer.
Applying for a visa involves so much bureaucracy – endless forms, long queues, and waiting weeks for an answer.
🔗 Collocations
cut through bureaucracy – To navigate or bypass official procedures efficiently
bureaucratic red tape – Excessive official formalities that cause delays
government bureaucracy – The administrative system of a government with many rules
🔄 Synonyms
red tape (n.) – Excessive official procedures causing delay
bureaucratism (n.) – Rigid adherence to rules in administration
officialdom (n.) – Government officials as a group, often with negative connotation
🚫 Antonyms
efficiency (n.) – The state of achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort
streamlined process (n.) – A simplified and efficient procedure
🌱 Derivatives
bureaucrat (n.) – An official in a bureaucracy
bureaucratic (adj.) – Relating to a bureaucracy, often implying excessive rules
bureaucratize (v.) – To make something more bureaucratic
📖 Cultural Story
Coined in 18th-century France by economist Vincent de Gournay to criticize the excessive procedures of government officials. 'Bureau' (desk) symbolized administrative work.
Meaning 2：administrative system (bureaucracy)
bureaucracy
/bjʊˈrɑːkrəsi/
n.
The whole system of administration and management of a large organization, especially a government, made up of many departments and officials following fixed rules.
administrative system
➕
/ədˈmɪnɪstreɪtɪv ˈsɪstəm/
n.
This refers to the entire organizational structure and management of a large institution, especially government, with many departments and officials following set rules.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
He works within the vast bureaucracy of the United Nations, coordinating humanitarian aid programs.
He works within the vast bureaucracy of the United Nations, coordinating humanitarian aid programs.
🔗 Collocations
federal bureaucracy – The administrative system of a national government
bureaucracy structure – The hierarchical organization of departments and officials
bureaucracy reform – Efforts to improve the efficiency of administrative systems
🔄 Synonyms
administration (n.) – The process or system of managing an organization
bureaucratic system (n.) – A system characterized by rigid rules and hierarchy
civil service (n.) – The permanent professional branches of government administration
🚫 Antonyms
adhocracy (n.) – A flexible, informal organizational structure without rigid rules
flat organization (n.) – An organizational structure with few levels of management
🌱 Derivatives
bureaucrat (n.) – An official who works in a bureaucracy
bureaucratic (adj.) – Pertaining to a bureaucracy
bureaucratization (n.) – The process of becoming more bureaucratic
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