Behold, this is how your bloated Republic is run:
Pournelle's Iron Law of Bureaucracy states that in any organization, the people who are most committed to the bureaucracy's own self-preservation will eventually gain control, while those focused on the organization's stated goals will lose influence or be removed. This phenomenon occurs because the bureaucracy's internal needs, such as maintaining power and status, become more important to its leaders than the original mission it was created to serve.
Key Aspects of the Law:
- Bureaucratic Self-Preservation:
The law highlights how bureaucracies tend to become self-serving, prioritizing their own continued existence and growth over their original purpose.
- Shifting Power Dynamics:
Those who are adept at navigating and manipulating the bureaucratic system for their own benefit will rise to power.
- Diminished Mission Focus:
Conversely, individuals who are truly dedicated to achieving the organization's original goals may find themselves marginalized or even eliminated from the system.
- Impact on External Service:
The consequence is that the organization becomes less effective at fulfilling its intended function for the public it is meant to serve.