The term’s origins can be traced to Jacques Claude Marie Vincent de Gournay, an 18th-century French economist. Nevertheless, it was Lady Morgan, a celebrated Irish novelist, who initially employed the term in the English language in 1818. Hence statement a is incorrect.
Etymology of “Bureaucracy”: The term “Bureaucracy” originates from the fusion of the French word “bureau,” signifying “desk” or “office,” and the Greek term “Kratos,” denoting “political power.”
Global Adoption in the 20th Century:
By the 20th century, “bureaucracy” gained worldwide usage, largely due to the influential publications of Max Weber, a German sociologist renowned for conducting the first formal study on bureaucracy.
Max Weber’s Impact:
Weber’s works were heavily referenced by scholars in the 20th and 21st centuries, significantly contributing to the widespread recognition of the term “bureaucracy” globally.
Characteristics of Bureaucracy by Max Weber:
Weber outlined the fundamental features of a bureaucracy, encompassing elements like a strict division of labor within a designated scope, a predetermined hierarchical chain of command, regulations limiting authority and decisions, career advancement based on technical qualifications, and a hierarchical organizational structure.
Contributors Besides Max Weber:
Other influential contributors to the understanding of bureaucracy include Karl Marx and Robert Michels, although Max Weber’s work remains particularly noteworthy in this field.
Karl Marx extensively examined the role of bureaucracy within society in his 1843 publication titled “Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right.” He openly criticized bureaucracy, expressing his belief that its presence would lead to the conversion of governments into elements of civil society., Hence statement b is correct.
