What phrase describes the complex rules and procedures that can slow action in bureaucratic agencies?

What phrase describes the complex rules and procedures that can slow action in bureaucratic agencies?

• A. Bureaucratic inertia
• B. Red tape
• C. Administrative backlog
• D. Policy bottlenecks

Answer: (B)

Red tape describes the complex rules and procedures that slow action in bureaucratic agencies. It captures how formalities—forms, approvals, and regulatory requirements—create friction and delay decision-making even when action is warranted. While bureaucratic inertia hints at resistance to change, administrative backlog focuses on piled-up work, and policy bottlenecks point to slowdowns at specific steps, red tape best describes the overall phenomenon of procedural complexity that slows things down.

Red tape describes the complex rules and procedures that slow action in bureaucratic agencies. It captures how formalities—forms, approvals, and regulatory requirements—create friction and delay decision-making even when action is warranted. While bureaucratic inertia hints at resistance to change, administrative backlog focuses on piled-up work, and policy bottlenecks point to slowdowns at specific steps, red tape best describes the overall phenomenon of procedural complexity that slows things down.