Regulations and implementation outcomes in combating the visible costs of bureaucracy

Today, the provision of public services necessitates the presence of bureaucracy in all state structures. However, when the role of bureaucracy is not clearly defined, it can cause problems due to conflicts with political powers. The importance of the study stems from the fact that, while previous studies in the literature have primarily examined the topic from economic and legal perspectives. This study, however, focuses on neglected issues such as efficiency, cost reduction, and process management in the fight against bureaucracy, analyzing them through regulatory implementations. The aim of the study is to reveal the visible costs of the bureaucratic structure in Turkey and to analyze the regulations implemented to combat these costs, along with their outcomes. The qualitative research method was used in the study; the data were obtained through document analysis and examined using descriptive analysis. First, general information about bureaucracy and the problems of Turkish bureaucracy are presented. Then, the regulations implemented in the fight against bureaucracy are examined in four stages. In the first stage, the reforms aimed at "reorganizing the bureaucratic structure" were analyzed. It was observed that the arrangements made for the Ministry of National Defense, the National Security Council, the Military Courts, the Supreme Military Council, and the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Commands are in line with those in European countries. These arrangements have yielded positive results in the fight against bureaucracy. When the number of ministries is examined, it becomes apparent that, with the abolition of the State Ministry, the cumbersome structure has been eliminated, bringing it to a level comparable to that of European countries. It was assessed that policy boards and offices offered an alternative bureaucratic structure and that equipping deputy ministers with bureaucratic powers could pave the way for political intervention in bureaucracy. In the second stage, the creation of competition between offices was examined. The examination revealed examples that indirectly encouraged competition. In the third stage, applications regarding "rewards and incentives" were assessed. It was observed that these applications were concentrated in the health and education sectors and, although they had negative aspects, their positive contributions outweighed the negative ones. In the fourth stage, applications regarding privatization were addressed. It was determined that, after privatization, bureaucratic obstacles were largely removed, decision-making processes were accelerated, and the administration functioned more effectively.