Bureaucracy refers to a system of government or management in which decisions are made by state officials or administrators rather than by elected representatives. It often involves complex rules and procedures that can make processes slower and more complicated. Bureaucracy can also be used more broadly to describe any organization characterized by a rigid hierarchy and a lot of administrative procedures.
The word "bureaucracy" comes from the French word "bureau" meaning "desk" or "office," combined with the Greek word "kratos," meaning "power" or "rule." It originally referred to the power or administration exercised from an office.