What does the term bureaucratic drift refer to?

Bureaucratic drift refers to the phenomenon where bureaucratic agencies deviate from the original policies or goals intended by lawmakers to instead pursue their own interests. This can occur as bureaucrats gain more autonomy and interpret their roles in ways that align with their personal or departmental interests, rather than strictly adhering to the policies set forth by elected officials. This divergence can lead to a mismatch between the goals set by the political leadership and the actions taken by the bureaucracy, potentially resulting in the implementation of policies that reflect the agency's interests more than the public's or the interests of the original legislative intent. In this way, bureaucratic drift highlights the challenges of ensuring that the vast array of federal agencies remain aligned with the objectives of the political system and the needs of the constituents they serve.