The Contemplation on the Interaction of Bureaucracy and Democracy: A Study among Faculty Members of Universities

The main purpose of this study is to examine the structural features of the bureaucracy and identify its functions for establishing a democratic system.

The present study is descriptive in terms of purpose, fundamental, in terms of nature and method, and qualitative in terms of data type. The study population was faculty members of two Salah al-Din universities and Jahan in Iraqi Kurdistan who 23 individuals were selected using Cochran formula and cluster sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews that were identified and coded through theme analysis, sub-themes and related concepts.

The results showed that the structural characteristics of the bureaucracy in the studied community are different from the Weber bureaucracy model. But because of the diversity of the workforce in the administrative system and its cooperation with different parts of the government, it has played an effective role in establishing the democratic system.

There were many changes (referendum) in the studied area at during the survey. Therefore, these changes are likely to affect the views and opinions of the interviewees. Data were also collected among a specific group who are socially and economically in the desirable level. Accordingly, it is necessary to generalize the results of the study, further studies should be conducted between different groups of society at different times.

Considering different views on the relationship between bureaucracy and democracy, it seems necessary democratizing bureaucratic processes in organizations to create democracy in society.

This article is in the area of public administration, which uses a practical approach, explains the better understanding of the relationship between bureaucracy and democracy.