Bureaucracy

Organizational bureaucracy or "Red Tape" (page 28 of textbook), although essential for the proper functioning of an organization, often places hurdles on getting the job done if followed to the letter. I once mailed a single-page letter by FedEx, and remember the manager telling the lady at the counter that she had to weigh the envelope to make sure that it was less than a pound. After the manager left, the lady smiled at me and said, "This is so light that anyone could tell that this doesn't weigh more than a pound, but I still have to follow the guidelines!" She weighed the envelope with a sigh; I understood her pain.

In 1960's India, bureaucracy was an art form raised to new heights. Although technically a capitalist country, several coils of red tape had to be endured before one could get a "license" to start a business in the country. After the business became functional, one had to file tons of paperwork with the Government to ensure a "properly" functioning business. It is only after this mindless bureaucracy was lifted that the Indian economy has been growing steadily.