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THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY

Explore the characteristics, functions, and organization of the federal bureaucracy in this informative guide. Understand how it implements laws, carries out administrative tasks, and regulates various sectors. Discover the roles of cabinet departments, independent agencies, and government corporations. Learn about the supervision of the bureaucracy by the President.

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THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY

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  1. THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY Examining the “Fourth Branch”

  2. bureaucracy • literally means “rule by desks” • government by clerks

  3. bureaucracy Definition:an administrative system, especially in a government, that divides work into specific categories carried out by special departments of nonelected officials

  4. Characteristics of a Bureaucracy • administration of government through departments • consists of unelected often highly trained professionals • task specialization • hierarchical authority

  5. Public Perceptionsof Bureaucracies • impersonal • inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures • may stifle effectiveness and innovation • “red tape”

  6. The Federal Bureaucracy What is the federal bureaucracy?

  7. The Federal Bureaucracy is: • 4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants” • President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments) • 15 cabinet level departments • 200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc. • Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration

  8. The Federal Bureaucracy What does the federal bureaucracy do?

  9. Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy Implementation- carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President Administration- routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries) Regulation- issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards) Source:http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/am_gov/chap6/a0606401.asp

  10. The Federal Bureaucracy How is the federal bureaucracy organized?

  11. The Federal Bureaucracy Consists of • Cabinet Departments • Independent Executive Agencies • Independent Regulatory Commissions • Government Corporations

  12. Federal Bureaucracy Federal Bureaucracy President Congress Executive Office of the President (Ex: OMB, NSC) Independent Regulatory Commissions (Ex: FCC, SEC) Independent Executive Agencies (Ex: CIA, NASA) Cabinet Departments (Ex: State, Defense) Government Corporations (Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)

  13. Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

  14. The Cabinet Departments • The 15 cabinet departments headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president and approved by the Senate • Each department “expert” in specific policy area • Each department has its own budget • Department of Homeland Security, created in 2002, is newest department

  15. Department of Homeland Security Executive Secretary Commandant of Coast Guard (1) Legislative Affairs Secretary ---------------------------------- Deputy Secretary Inspector General Public Affairs General Counsel State and Local Coordination Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Citizenship & Immigration Service Ombudsman (1) Director, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (1) Special Assistant to the Secretary (private sector) Director of the Secret Service (1) Small & Disadvantaged Business Privacy Officer National Capital Region Coordination Chief of Staff International Affairs Shared Services Counter Narcotics Under Secretary Management Under Secretary Science and Technology Under Secretary Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Under Secretary Border & Transportation Security Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and Response Note (1): Effective March 1st, 2003

  16. Independent Executive Agencies • Established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch • Given a specific mandate and generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one. • Some examples include: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.

  17. Independent Regulatory Commissions • IRCs exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest such as the Federal Communications Commission (public air waves) or Federal Reserve Board (banking system, money supply) • IRCs operate independently from Congress and the President • Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause

  18. Government Corporations • Government owned businesses created by Congress • May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need • Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Tennessee Valley Authority, Corporation for Public Broadcasting

  19. Who works for the federal government?

  20. 97% are career government employees Only 10% live in the D.C. area 30% work for the D.O.D. Less than 15% work for social welfare agencies Most are white collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers Civil employees more diverse demographically than Congress Who are the “Bureaucrats?”

  21. Where do Federal Employees Work? Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

  22. What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do? Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

  23. Who supervises the federal bureaucracy?

  24. The President Supervises the Bureaucracy The President can: • appoint & remove agency heads • reorganize the bureaucracy • issue executive orders • reduce an agency's budget President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007

  25. Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy Congress can: • create or abolish agencies & departments • cut or reduce funding • investigate agency activities • hold committee hearings • pass legislation that alters an agency's functions • influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown testifies before House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina

  26. Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy Federal courts can: • through judicial review rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U.S. Constitution • provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action Supreme Court of the United States

  27. The Bureaucracy of Pizza

  28. Thinking Critically • Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the fourth branch?” • Some critics believe that the real power in the federal government lies with the federal bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this is true?

  29. Title: The Damages of the Bureaucracy Artist: unknown, La Presna, Panama Date: May, 2006 Source:http://www.politicalcartoons.com

  30. Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class Artist: Chip Bok Date: unknown Source: http://www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif

  31. Title: Another Layer of Bureaucracy Artist: Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant Date: February, 2006 Source: : http://www.politicalcartoons.com

  32. Title: FEMA’s Follies Artist: Mike Keefe, The Denver Post Date: April, 2006 Source:http://www.cagle.com/news/FEMASFollies/main.asp

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