Bureaucracies as Key ‘Political’ Institutions
Main Questions Explored in Week Two:
1. What role does a bureaucracy play amongst public institutions that make up a state
2. Why does a bureaucracy represent an influential political institutions despite the fact that it
consist non-elected officials who are meant to be non-partisan
3. How can bureaucracies support as well as threaten the democratic process
• The bureaucracy does not formally reside in the other branches, however it is often thought of
as being an extension of the executive/cabinet
• Bureaucracy have developed distinct characteristics over the years
• Bureaucracy have to account to legislature
Main Questions Explored in Week Two:
1. What role does a bureaucracy play amongst public institutions that make up a state
2. Why does a bureaucracy represent an influential political institutions despite the fact that it
consist non-elected officials who are meant to be non-partisan
3. How can bureaucracies support as well as threaten the democratic process
• The bureaucracy does not formally reside in the other branches, however it is often thought of
as being an extension of the executive/cabinet
• Bureaucracy have developed distinct characteristics over the years
• Bureaucracy have to account to legislature
