Why is bureaucracys relationship to democracy so conflicted Essay

Why is bureaucracys relationship to democracy so conflicted - Essay Example Bureaucracy and democracy are independent in their application to governance but are closely interconnected in a distinctive way. They operate alongside each other but in different directions, with democracy being associated with values such as equality, involvement and independence while bureaucracy supports hierarchy, division of labour and objectivity. This paper discusses why bureaucracy’s relationship to democracy is conflicted. Managerial excellence and participation in governance are significant backgrounds of public perception with regards to bureaucracy and democracy. The people’s view of the accomplishments of the public sector influences their democratic ideals for instance confidence in government and its agencies as well as their effective participation in public affairs. Managerial excellence is influenced by human resource characteristics and is interpreted differently by stakeholders among them the public who are the major clients of the government. Bureaucracy is focused on attaining managerial excellence in the public domain to enhance the accomplishments of democratically elected governments (DuGay, 2000). In this view, the two concepts have a strong interplay because the power to elect governments is vested in the people while on the other hand the elected government needs to establish an efficient bureaucratic system to offer services to the public. It requires effective and competent decisions and leadership qualities for the goals of a bureaucratic system to be realised. This includes maintaining high quality workforce established through meritocracy and professionalism. Managers in the bureaucratic system must promote the ideals of the elected government that represents the people. The public expects transparency and accountability in government that is reflected by its employees. Employees are also expected to maintain innovativeness and creativity to effectively solve problems affecting the