bureaucracy
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bureaucracy
The entire administrative system of a state or large organization, characterized by fixed rules, responsibilities, and a hierarchical structure. The term is often used negatively for an administrative apparatus perceived as cumbersome and inefficient.
Für den Bauantrag muss man sich durch die ganze Bürokratie kämpfen.
For the building application, you have to fight your way through all the bureaucracy.
bureaucracy
All the civil servants and employees who work in public administration.
Die Regierung plant, die Bürokratie zu verschlanken und Stellen abzubauen.
The government plans to streamline the bureaucracy and cut jobs.
The word is a compound of 'Büro' (office, administration) and the ending '-kratie' (-cracy), which comes from the Greek word for 'rule'. So 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy) literally means 'rule by administration'.
Die Demokratie ist eine Staatsform, in der die Macht vom Volk ausgeht.
Democracy is a form of government in which power comes from the people.
The word 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy) is very often used with a negative meaning. It then describes an administration that is perceived as slow, complicated, and inefficient.
Wegen der übermäßigen Bürokratie verzögert sich das Bauprojekt um Monate.
Because of excessive bureaucracy, the construction project is being delayed by months.
Common expressions are 'Bürokratie abbauen' (to reduce bureaucracy, i.e. simplify rules) and 'bürokratische Hürden' (bureaucratic hurdles), which means complicated regulations or forms.
Die neue Regierung will die Bürokratie für kleine Unternehmen abbauen.
The new government wants to reduce bureaucracy for small businesses.
If the context is about 'Stellen' (positions), 'Beamte' (civil servants), or 'Personal' (staff), 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy) means all administrative employees. If it is about 'Regeln' (rules), 'Formulare' (forms), or 'Prozesse' (processes), it means the system.
Die Bürokratie in diesem Ministerium gilt als sehr effizient.
The bureaucracy in this ministry is considered very efficient.
administration / management
Verwaltung usually refers neutrally to the state apparatus and emphasizes its services to the public. Bürokratie, by contrast, emphasizes fixed rules, responsibilities, and hierarchies and is often used critically when procedures are perceived as cumbersome or inefficient. Verwaltung fits a factual statement, while Bürokratie is more appropriate for this criticism.
Die Bürokratie verlangt für den Antrag viele Formulare und mehrere Unterschriften.
The bureaucracy requires many forms and several signatures for the application.
Die Verwaltung bearbeitet den Antrag und bietet den Bürgern verschiedene Dienstleistungen an.
The administration processes the application and provides citizens with various services.
