Dutch photographer Jan Banning traveled the world for his 2008 book Bureaucratics, a comparative study in bureaucrats from around the world.
Jan traveled to Bolivia, China, France, India, Liberia, Russia, Yemen and the United States to snap photographs of civil servants - from fiscal authorities to police, from governors to local clerks - seated behind his or her desk within their bureaux, the room from which they exercise their (substantial or very limited) power.
The result? A fascinating look at the lives of bureaucrats - yes, there are obviously differences in how they're dressed and decor of the rooms, but isn't it amazing that their love of red tape seems to be a universal trait?
Links: Bureaucratics on Jan's website | Bureaucratics on Amazon - via Waslijn
More photos after the jump: