Learn English – An appropriate word for a “complex lengthy bureaucratic procedure” that prevents a positive outcome

single-word-requests

What is the appropriate word for the "delay/failure due to lengthy bureaucratic procedure"?

I am asking for a word describing the problem (IE a word for a complex slow bureaucratic process).

Example, somebody needs to send US$ 50 from Ethiopia to a German university to pay the application fee to a university. The central bank of Ethiopia imposed such a rule that, to send foreign currency from Ethiopia to any other country, the sender has to submit appropriate papers for each of the transactions. So, in order to satisfy the central bank, the commercial bank wants to see some paper from the sender-customer. But, the sender can't produce any official paper because he don't have any, rather than some Emails. The bank doesn't recognize the Emails. On the other hand, for only US$ 50, the German client isn't ready to provide any official paper.

So, finally, the customer ultimately fails to send the US$ 50 from Ethiopia to Germany.

Best Answer

A common term for bureaucratic complication that frustrates or prevents activity is red tape

The collection or sequence of forms and procedures required to gain bureaucratic approval for something, especially when oppressively complex and time-consuming.

American Heritage

Supplement: Red tape has an interesting etymology

"excessive bureaucratic rigmarole," 1736, in reference to the red tape formerly used in Great Britain (and the American colonies) for binding up legal and other official documents, mentioned from 1690s.

etymonline.com

Red ribbon, often with a wax seal, continued to be used in the US to show completeness of official legal documents, such as wills and deeds, well into the late 20th century.

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