ions must be made. This means that the more centralized a bureaucratic system is, the less possible it will be for the individual with the decision-making authority to obtain first-hand knowledge of the problems they are required to deal with. On the other hand, those on the lower levels who may actually know what is going on and my have a better idea of how to solve a problem, do not have the authority to take any decisive action.Inded, the main problem in this centralized bureaucracy is the rapid transference of accurate information to the Emperor. Indeed, Nicholas insisted that he have as much information as possible on all aspects of Russian life in order to command effectively. However, the Russian empire was vast, the communications system was crummy, and many of the Russian officials were incompetent, so much of the info that Nicholas got was either inaccurate or of little value. Local officials were particularly problematic because Non-routine requests for information from St. Petersburg's chanceries often threw them into panic, and they responded with silence because they feared that the central administration sought the data to do them harm.Nicholas' ministers and advisers sought to overcome the communications problems by sending specially appointed officials on fact-finding missions to the provinces. But this information was trivial, inaccurate and worthless to the statesmen who commissioned it because even these officials were poorly educated and badly trained. Further, anotherer main problem, besides the unwieldliness of the system was the problem of attracting qualified people. Local officials were poorly educated and badly trained, often having learned their narrow routines through a crude apprenticeship system. The head of the Third Department reported in early 1830s that educated and established people were reluctant to become provincial governors because they knew the degree of responsibility which they would have,...
