
Bureaucratic Incompetence
Bureaucratic incompetence, defined as the systemic inability of bureaucratic institutions to perform their designated functions effectively, can have profound implications for the mental health of individuals subjected to it. This phenomenon can be analyzed through various sociological lenses, including organizational theory, stress theory, and the sociology of health and illness. The following essay explores the multifaceted ways in which bureaucratic incompetence can impact mental health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of societal structures and individual well-being.
Examples of Bureaucratic Incompetence
Misallocation of Resources in Public Housing
Public housing authorities may exhibit bureaucratic incompetence by misallocating resources, such as assigning housing units to ineligible applicants while eligible families remain on waiting lists. This can lead to

