1. a system of government or administration characterized by complex bureaucracy and rigid adherence to official procedures
Usage: often used critically
2. the attitudes, practices, or influence of mandarins or scholarly bureaucrats
Usage: historical; refers to Chinese imperial system

Examples

• The new reforms aimed to reduce mandarinism in the government agencies.
• Critics argued that mandarinism was stifling innovation in the university system.
• The company’s mandarinism made simple decisions take weeks to approve.
• Historical mandarinism in China created a powerful scholarly class.
• The organization struggled with mandarinism that prevented quick responses to problems.
• Employees complained about the mandarinism that required multiple approvals for basic tasks.