Bureaucracy vs. Mandarinate — What's the Difference?

The term bureaucracy () may refer both to a body of non-elected governing officials (bureaucrats) and to an administrative policy-making group. Historically, a bureaucracy was a government administration managed by departments staffed with non-elected officials.

(obsolete) The status of holding a position as a mandarin.

Administration of a government chiefly through bureaus or departments staffed with nonelected officials.

The collective body of mandarins.

The departments and their officials as a group

A political form of rule by mandarins.

Management or administration marked by hierarchical authority among numerous offices and by fixed procedures

(figuratively) A type of government marked by excessive bureaucracy and Byzantine regulations.

The administrative structure of a large or complex organization

The collective body of officials or persons of rank in China.

An administrative system in which the need or inclination to follow rigid or complex procedures impedes effective action

Government by bureaus or their administrators or officers.

A system of administration based upon organisation into bureaus, division of labour, a hierarchy of authority, etc., designed to dispose of a large body of work in a routine manner.

The body of officers and administrators, especially of a government.

Excessive red tape and routine in any administration, body or behaviour.

A system of carrying on the business of government by means of departments or bureaus, each under the control of a chief, in contradiction to a system in which the officers of government have an associated authority and responsibility; also, government conducted on this system.

Government officials, collectively; - used especially of nonelected government officials.

Nonelective government officials