Red Tape
Definition
Red tape refers to excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.
Analogy
Imagine trying to open a present that's been wrapped with too much tape. It takes longer because you have to navigate through all the unnecessary layers. That's what red tape is like in bureaucracy - it slows down processes with unnecessary procedures.
Related terms
Regulation: A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
Bureaucratic Inefficiency: The concept that bureaucratic systems are inherently inefficient due to their complexity and rigidity.
Policy Implementation: The carrying out of a basic policy decision, usually incorporated in a statute but can also result from judicial decisions or regulations.
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