Final answer:
Among the options provided, formal rules and procedures is a defining feature of an efficient bureaucracy. Other key features include a hierarchy of authority, a clear division of labor, and impersonality. The correct answer is option D. Formal rules and procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The features of a bureaucracy which make it an efficient way of organizing include a centralization of power, formal rules and procedures, and a clear hierarchy of authority. These characteristics are crucial for managing large political units and for the functioning of large organizations.
Among the options provided, formal rules and procedures (Option D) is a defining feature of an efficient bureaucracy, as described by the sociologist Max Weber. A bureaucracy typically has a hierarchy of authority, a clear division of labor, explicit rules, and is characterized by impersonality in operations.
Bureaucracies aim to improve efficiency, ensure equal opportunities, and serve large populations effectively, although they may sometimes be criticized for rigidity and slowness.