THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY

1. THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY

2. bureaucracy Definition:A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization

3. Three features of a Bureaucracy • Hierarchical Structure- a pyramid structured organization with a chain of command running from top to bottom • Job Specialization- each bureaucrat has certain defined duties and responsibilities • Formalized Rules- a written set of procedures and regulations that the bureaucracy functions under

4. Benefits of a Bureaucracy • Hierarchical structure prevents conflicts of authority thereby making organizations more effective • Job specialization promotes efficiency because each person in organization focuses on one particular job. • Formalized rules keep things consistent and don’t allow for “gray” areas which could cause indecision

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

6. The Federal Bureaucracy What is the federal bureaucracy?

7. The Federal Bureaucracy Consists of • Executive Office • Executive Departments (President’s Cabinet) • Independent Agencies (Page 429)

8. The Federal Bureaucracy is: • 4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants” • President only appoints 3% • 15 cabinet level departments • 150+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc.

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

11. The Executive Office

12. Executive Office of the President (EOP) • The executive office of the President is, in fact an umbrella agency • It is a complex organization of several separate agencies staffed by most of the President’s closest advisors and assistants

13. Executive Office of the President (Continued) • While all Cabinet members and many heads of independent agencies must be confirmed, most EOP members are do not require senatorial confirmation. • In all, the there are 11 different offices/councils in the EOP

14. White House Office • The “nerve center” of the executive branch is found within the walls of the White House Office. • It houses the President’s key personal and political staff • The employees in this office occupy most of the crowed West Wing, which the public seldom sees and also houses the Oval Office and Cabinet Room

16. Chief of Staff • Head of White house office • Second most influential person • Advise the President • Choose key White House staff and supervise them • Control the flow of people into the Oval Office Denis McDonough

17. Office of Management and Budget • The largest organization within the EOP • Major responsibility is to prepare Federal Budget every fiscal year • The Federal Budget that OMB submits to Congress is done is based on the fiscal year which runs from October 1- September 30 • OMB begins creating budget more than one year before it is completed

18. Office of Management and Budget (Continued) • OMB also completes studies on the organization and effectiveness of management within the executive branch • OMB helps prepare the many hundreds of Executive orders from the president

19. National Security Council • National Security Council (NSC) often called on short notice, this group advises the president on domestic, foreign, and military matters that relate to the nation’s security • This group is usually made up of the President, the Vice President, the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, and Defense, the director of the CIA, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Susan Rice