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The Bureaucracy

The Bureaucracy. Patronage: grant government jobs to party members - creates strong party loyalty - Spoils System Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) - Created Civil Service Commission - awarded Federal jobs based on competitive examinations - Meritocracy Example: Military – ASVAB

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The Bureaucracy

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  1. The Bureaucracy • Patronage: grant government jobs to party members - creates strong party loyalty - Spoils System • Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) - Created Civil Service Commission - awarded Federal jobs based on competitive examinations - Meritocracy • Example: • Military – ASVAB • Postal - The 473 Battery exam - 398 questions

  2. The Bureaucracy • Hatch Act (1939, 1993) - Federal Employees can’t engage in partisan political activity while on duty. • Office of Personnel Management - In charge of hiring • Director appointed by President and confirmed by the Senate. • GS (General Schedule) Rating: Federal Jobs pay scale • GS 1 - 397 employees = $22,269 • GS 9 - 127,840 = $54,028 • GS12 - 205,120 = $78,355 • GS15 - 39,579 = $129,517

  3. The Bureaucracy in Action • The Bureaucracy is much more representative than Congress • 30% minority, 45% Female

  4. The Bureaucracy in Action • Who are they? • 14% Federal • 86% State • 52% in Education • Today – Federal, State, Local = 21 million

  5. The Bureaucracy in Action • Discretionary Authority – the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by law.

  6. The Bureaucracy in Action • Discretionary Authority – Three areas: • paying subsidies to groups (farmers, veterans) • transferring money to state and local governments (grants-in-aid) • Devising and enforcing regulations

  7. The Bureaucracy in Action • Discretionary Authority – Problems: • Program Design • Lack of Clarity – Title IX example - Controversial legislation – Congress leaves intentionally broad

  8. The Bureaucracy in Action • Discretionary Authority – Problems: • Lack of Resources • Administrative Routine – Standard Operating Procedure – makes decision making less arbitrary

  9. The Iron Triangle • The Iron Triangle – The close relationship between a Federal agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

  10. The Iron Triangle Congressional Committee Budget & Jurisdiction Campaign Contributions Executive Agency Interest Group Contracts and regulations

  11. The Iron Triangle • Example – the Department of Veteran’s Affairs – The House and Senate committees on veteran’s affairs – American Legion, VFW

  12. Policy Making • Policy Arenas: • Distributive – activities desirable to society, only winners • Regulatory – protection, prohibits harmful actions • Redistributive – manipulate allocation of property rights – winners and losers • Structural – Military, infrastructure • Crisis – emergency response – external threat or natural disaster

  13. Regulation vs. Deregulation • Methods of Control: • Congressional – • Hearings and investigations • Mandatory reports - The Agency for International Development must submit 288 reports a year • Legislative vetoes • Committee and Conference reports • Inspectors General • Government Accountability Office (GAO)

  14. Regulation vs. Deregulation • Other Constraints: • Administrative Procedure Act – solicit, notice, hearings on new rules • Freedom of Information Act – citizens can inspect all government records

  15. Regulation vs. Deregulation • Methods of Control: • Presidential – • Office of Management and Budget (OMB) • Executive Orders • Appointment Process • Reorganization

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