Appearance Quote by Walter Bagehot
“A bureaucracy is sure to think that its duty is to augment official power, official business, or official members, rather than to leave free the energies of mankind; it overdoes the quantity of government, as well as impairs its quality. The truth is, that a skilled bureaucracy is, though it boasts of an appearance of science, quite inconsistent with the true principles of the art of business.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The English Constitution, 1867
Bureaucracies often expand power, stifling individual initiative and efficiency.
In simple terms: Bureaucracies can hinder freedom and quality.
Key Takeaway
Limit bureaucratic overreach.
Themes
bureaucracy
government
efficiency
individual liberty
organizational theory
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public administration
- corporate management
- policy implementation
Key Concepts
centralization
accountability
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance control and freedom?
- What safeguards protect innovation?
A Different Perspective
Complex problems may need coordinated action.
