Lesson Summary. In summary, the American class system of social stratification is broadly divided into three main layers-upper class, middle class, and lower class-that are mostly based on socioeconomic conditions.
For other uses, see Bureaucracy (disambiguation) . A bureaucracy (/bjuËËrÉkrÉsi/) is a body of non-elective government officials and/or an administrative policy-making group.Historically, bureaucracy was government administration managed by departments staffed with nonelected officials.oday, bureaucracy is the administrative system governing any large institution. Since being coined, the word bureaucracy has developed negative connotations. Bureaucracies have been criticized as being too complex, inefficient, or too inflexible.
noun, plural bureaucracies. 1. government by many bureaus, administrators, and petty officials. 2. the body of officials and administrators, especially of a government or government department. 3. excessive multiplication of, and concentration of power in, administrative bureaus or administrators.