[a. F. bureaucratie, f. bureau (see prec.) + Gr. -κρατύα rule (cf. aristocracy).] Government by bureaux; usually officialism. b. Government officials collectively.
1848. Mill, Pol. Econ., II. 529. The … inexpediency of concentrating in a dominant bureaucracy … all the power of organized action … in the community.
1850. Carlyle, Latter-d. Pamph., iv. (1872), 121. The Continental nuisance called ‘Bureaucracy.’
1858. Merc. Mar. Mag., V. 43. The brigand bureaucracy of China.
1860. Mill, Repr. Govt., 40/1. The work of government has been in the hands of governors by profession; which is the essence and meaning of bureaucracy.
