In his classic treatment of bureaucrats, the economist William Niskanen proposed that, for purposes of modeling bureaucratic behavior, a bureau chief or department head should be thought of as a(n)

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Niskanen's model proposes that department heads or bureau chiefs are primarily motivated by a desire to maximize their budget. This is based on the assumption that the size of their budget is an indicator of their importance and power within the bureaucratic hierarchy. By maximizing their budget, they can increase their influence and protect their position within the organization.

In His Classic Treatment of Bureaucrats, the Economist William Niskanen