Exploring mid-level bureaucracy: a tentative typology

Abstract

The paper’s main goal is to present an original typology of bureaucrats,situated in intermediate layer of the civil service structure. This specifcset of players, the mid-level bureaucrat (MLB), is seen as a strategicgroup, primarily, because of its connection role and position betweenthe top ofcials and the policy executors. Despite their relevance andwell-known heterogeneity, few studies have explored this diversity andthe effects in the policymaking. In order to fulfll this gap and deepen the understanding of the MLBs, this article proposes a typology that includes crucial dimensions, such as profle, background and performance, and, thus, empirically confrms the heterogeneity assumption in the Brazilian federal civil service