The dictionary definition of bureaucratic is 'of or relating to bureaucrats; characterized by bureaucracy'. Bureaucratic is the adjective of the noun bureaucrat, which itself means 'An official of a bureaucracy'. A bureaucracy is a body of non-elective government and its purpose is to successfully put actions of an organization into place. The organization in question will normally be a large entity such as government or corporations. The bureaucracy will assist in the organization achieving its purpose with the greatest efficiency and lowest cost. The German sociologist Max Weber drew up a definition of a bureaucratic official. It reads as follows: He is personally free and appointed to his position on the basis of conduct, he exercises the authority delegated to him in accordance with impersonal rules, and his loyalty is enlisted on behalf of the faithful execution of his official duties. He also stated that his appointment was dependant upon his technical qualifications, and that his work in an administrative capacity was a full-time post. The work of a bureaucratic official is rewarded with a salary and prospects of advancement in a career that could span a lifetime. He must also exercise reasonable judgment and skill, although he is ultimately responsible for the completion of his tasks and his judgment must not affect the completion of those tasks. Bureaucratic control is the use of rules and regulations to assist and guide performance, and includes budgets, statistical reports and performance appraisals to regulate results. Bureaucrats in the European Union are often called Eurocrats, especially by the English press. In Imperial China, bureaucrats were put through a series of complicated examinations and were then posted throughout the empire. These bureaucrats were known in Europe as Mandarins, the Portuguese for councillor.
