The Future of Bureaucracy

The perception of a constant increase in bureaucratic hurdles is omnipresent. An excess of bureaucracy is considered today to be the central barrier to growth in Germany, attributed more significance than high taxes and social security payments, crumbling infrastructure, and energy costs. In the USA, Donald Trump, for a time supported by Elon Musk, declared war on bureaucracy and “took a chainsaw” to important elements of the state apparatus. This radical action may have been viewed critically in Germany, but the idea of dismantling bureaucracy generally has broad support across all political parties. This view often ignores questions as to the significance of bureaucracy for the rule of law, the provision of public services, the social welfare system and democratic processes.

The aim of the CAS research focus is to address the future of bureaucracy. What are the causes of the stark increase in bureaucracy observable in all industrial countries? How can a sustainable bureaucracy be achieved without endangering our legal and social welfare systems? How can the establishment and implementation of norms be more effectively conducted in the future in order to prevent bureaucratic excesses? What possibilities does the university have to fulfill its purpose amidst the thicket of ever more complex regulations?

• Prof. Dr. Martin Burgi (Law, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Friederike Funk (Psychology, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Ann-Katrin Kaufhold (Law, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Christoph Knill (Political Sciences, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Fabian Pfeffer (Sociology, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Hedwig Richter (History, University of the Bundeswehr, Munich)
• Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt (Economics, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Monika Schnitzer (Economics, LMU)
• Prof. Dr. Laura Seelkopf (Political Sciences, LMU)