Maaseutuhallinnon arjen todellisuus : puhetta byrokraattisuudesta

Abstract

The article analyses bureaucratic discourse in everyday rural administration, utilising Max Weber’s bureaucratic theory and the notions of dysfunctional bureaucracy by Robert K. Merton. The word bureaucracy has a negative connotation in implementing business funding within partially EU financed rural development programmes. The research contains 38 interviews with rural administration actors and entrepreneurs. Critical discourse analysis revealed three discourses: law obedience, programme as a host and wholeness missing. The results established that the bureaucratic model of rural administration produces many undesired consequences.