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Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy. Objective: Assess two competing theories of outside influence on the bureaucracy, and draw conclusions as to which is more applicable. Constraints? Shared Authority Public notice & hearings Open Meeting FOIA Environmental Privacy Civil Rights Bidding / Prevailing Wage

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Bureaucracy

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  1. Bureaucracy • Objective: Assess two competing theories of outside influence on the bureaucracy, and draw conclusions as to which is more applicable. • Constraints? • Shared Authority • Public notice & hearings • Open Meeting • FOIA • Environmental • Privacy • Civil Rights • Bidding / Prevailing Wage • Unions

  2. The Bureaucracy • Large, complex, many managers • Character today shaped by Depression and WWII • Power depends on “discretionary authority” • Culture & Change

  3. Outside Influences on the Bureaucracy • President and Congress: overlap in Appointments and Oversight • Two Theories of Influence: • 1) Iron Triangle: • a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group; it is often a mutually advantageous alliance • Could hurt democratic process • attention paid to $ or powerful special interests • less attention to general public interests / citizen apathy or distrust • 2) Issue Network: • Contentious and ideologically split • Networks consist of interest groups, congressional staffs, universities, think tanks, members of the media

  4. IRON TRIANGLE Congressional Committee Needs info, votes, campaign contributions • Interest Group • Offers political support & $ to appointees & elected officials • Needs laws and regulations benefiting members • Executive Agency • Needs political support, appropriations, and info

  5. ACTIVITY • Skim Articles • Which theory does each article demonstrate, in your opinion? • Brainstorm with group: Come up with an example to fit each theory • Use chapter examples, or knowledge of current events • Which theory is more applicable today, in your opinion?

  6. CLOSURE • Most persuasive argument you heard today?

  7. Essay Questions • Iron Triangles (Perfect score) • 1) DEFINES Iron Triangle: a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group that often becomes a mutually advantageous alliance • 2) Relates it to agriculture: How Key players interact • 3) Impact on democratic process

  8. Essay Question continued... • 2) Relate it to agriculture: How key players interact: • Try hypothetical example (if no actual one) • Dept. Agric. - regulates agriculture & enforces law (also FDA, EPA): strict/lenient inspections • Agriculture Committee • Both consult w/interest groups b/f change reg’s or leg. • Interest Group Lobbyists - (farmers, workers, ind.) • provide info or testimony on legislation or reg’s • political support (for actions or individuals) • subsidies - tobacco, mohair, dairy, etc.

  9. 3) Impact of Iron Triangle on Democratic Process • Direct influence on public policy (legislation and executive enforcement) • Former govt. officials often b/cm lobbyists • Client politics • farmers defeat effort to decrease pesticide use • no labeling of bovine growth hormone • Could hurt democratic process • attention paid to $ or powerful special interests • less attention to general public (voter apathy?)

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