The practice of running organizations through rigid rules and procedures, often prioritizing paperwork and hierarchy over practical results.
From French bureaucratie (bureau 'desk' + -cratie 'rule') plus English -ism suffix. The term emerged in 18th-century France to describe the growing power of administrative officials, and -ism was added to denote this as a system or ideology.
Bureaucratism became a favorite criticism in communist nations where ironically, the most rigid bureaucratic systems developed in the name of 'revolution'—a fascinating example of how a concept meant to critique government became entrenched within governments.
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