Political Science · Public Administration
UGC NET October 2022 Political Science
'Bureaucrats Resist Change', who propounded this theory?
AAnthony Downs (1967)
BJudith Gruber (1987)
CD. Thompson (1967)
DRobert K. Merton (1957) ✓ Correct
Correct answer: (D) Robert K. Merton (1957) — Robert K. Merton propounded the idea that bureaucrats resist change, so the answer is Robert K. Merton.
Explanation
★Robert K. Merton propounded the idea that bureaucrats resist change, so the answer is Robert K. Merton.
★He set it out in 1957 in his analysis of bureaucratic structure and personality.
★Merton described goal displacement, where rules meant as means become ends in themselves.
★Rigid obedience and conformity, what he called trained incapacity, make officials cling to routine.
★As a result the organisation resists change and can produce dysfunctional outcomes.
★Anthony Downs studied bureaucratic behaviour in 'Inside Bureaucracy' but is not credited with this specific theory.
★Judith Gruber and D. Thompson worked on accountability and ethics, so neither is the source here.
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