Research on the Modern Prussian Bureaucratic System

Author: Xu Jian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Prussia was a typical "bureaucratic state" in modern Europe, with unique norms. The legal status, responsibilities and obligations, as well as the selection and training methods of officials, all had distinct models, reflecting certain characteristics of the era. The Prussian bureaucracy was a special social class, characterized by closure, privilege, and a sense of hierarchy. However, these features were not a reproduction of the feudal system but, to some extent, reflected the fundamental principles of capitalist society. The historical process of Prussia bore the deep imprint of bureaucratic rule. In the economic and social spheres, the bureaucracy propelled the nation's transition from a traditional to a modern society; but in the political sphere, it hindered the development of democracy. The Prussian bureaucratic system was a mixture of progress and regress.