This is a transitional period in the life of a society, when accountability to articulate publics becomes more pronounced than ever. During such times, power and authority momentarily lose their untouchability, and their complacent wielders become fair game for any organized hunt. Political transitions like the one we are presently undergoing reveal the basic fault lines of bureaucracies and institutions. In the ideal bureaucracy, a person is appointed to an office in recognition of his expertise, and is shielded from political pressure by a fixed tenure and clear lines of authority. In real life, however, no bureaucracy works precisely according to the ideal.
Office holders find that it is never enough to invoke their authority to keep things going.
They must also earn the respect and trust of their subordinates. They have to win and establish their legitimacy in the eyes of the people with whom they work. This is the unspoken rule in all organizations. In normal times, a bureaucrat may be able to function for an indefinite period solely on the basis of his appointment papers. The line of authority is taken for granted.