The Absurdity of Bureaucracy is a rich and valuable work. The book's main quality is its extraordinary ethnographic richness. It is quite unique in its depth, scope and ethnographic sensitivity. [...] An important and welcomed contribution to the anthropological study of bureaucracy and policy.'
Halvard Vike, Ethnos
Series editor's preface
Acknowledgements
Reading guide
Central people, documents, and organizations
Prologue: Labor days
Introduction: the absurdity of bureaucracy
1 Anticipations
Portrait 1: making a difference
Portrait 2: the perfect plan
Analysis: a container of discrete agendas
2 Mutations
Portrait 3: the trial mutates
Portrait 4: satisfying needs
Analysis: vectors of concern
3 Multiplications
Portrait 5: the purpose multiplies
Portrait 6: the productivity of controversy
Analysis: absurdity is a perspective that appreciates the sum-total
4 The quest for meaning
Portrait 7: bending the rules and agreements
Portrait 8: the end of meaning
Analysis: they rebel, they do not resist
5 How implementation works
Epilogue: bureaucracy-choose your own adventure
Appendix: data, position, method