COUNTERBUREAUCRACIES IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Counterbureaucracies differ from other bureaucracies in their goals, r esources, discretion, and culture. This article develops several theor etical propositions concerning counterbureaucracies and then considers how they actually behave. Despite negative goals and a self-reliant c ulture, counterbureaucracies have generally flourished in recent years . Public relations, a service orientation, and professionalism have he lped them to generate viral political support.