Benue State University, Makurdi

BUREAUCRACY IN SOCIETY: THE INFLUENCE OF MISCONCEIVED VALUES AND THE ROLE OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN CURBING THE MENACE

Lucky Omoede Aimiyekagbon
Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Rasak Okunzuwa Uzamere
Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Bureaucracy as a giant mechanism operated by Pygmies was seen as the distinctive form of organization found not just in government but in all spheres of modern society. It is the mass ranks of civil servants and public officials who are charged with the execution of government business. Based on this conceptualisation, every institution in Nigeria operates bureaucracy. The theory of bureaucracy behoves on its operators some sets of guiding principles, ethos or values for smooth practice. The non-adherence of institutions to bureaucratic ethos has resulted in the decay and erosion of bureaucratic values and invariably cherished societal values. As such, bureaucratic values have been misconceived and become the norms in Nigerian institutions. This, no doubt may not be unconnected to the slow pace of development in the country and thehigh prevalence of social ills in the society. To effectively do justice to this topic, the paper looks at the meaning, characteristics, functions and organization of bureaucracies, bureaucratic and misconceived bureaucratic values, practice of bureaucracy and the roles of Social Studies in curbing misconceived bureaucratic values in the society. The paper recommends among others that, value teaching (including bureaucratic values and misconceived bureaucratic values) should be made a life-long learning by building it into every programme in the various levels of the school system. Orientation programmes should be organised for staff of the various government institutions and agencies regularly to educate them on the ills of misconceived bureaucratic values in the society and its tendency to breed societal ills.

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