The mayor of Saint-Raphaël, Frédéric Masquelier, argues that excessive bureaucracy is contributing to the rise of populism in France. In his new essay, *Anatomy of Bureaucracy*, Masquelier details how increasing bureaucratic processes have diminished the authority of political leaders. He contends this erosion of political power ultimately poses a threat to democratic systems. Masquelier supports his claims with specific examples illustrating the impact of this “bureaucratic inflation.” The book suggests a link between the growth of administrative procedures and a decline in public trust in political institutions. He posits that this disconnect creates fertile ground for populist movements to gain traction. Masquelier, a member of the Les Républicains party, frames the issue as a critical challenge to the health of French democracy.