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The Bureaucracy

The Bureaucracy. 2/23/2012. Clearly Stated Learning Objectives. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: identify and explain the role of formal (bureaucratic) institutions and their effect on policy.

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The Bureaucracy

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  1. The Bureaucracy 2/23/2012

  2. Clearly Stated Learning Objectives • Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: • identify and explain the role of formal (bureaucratic) institutions and their effect on policy. • students will have a better understanding of why our national government works and why the American system of government is unique.

  3. Office Hours and Readings • Readings- Chapter 10 on the Bureaucracy • Office Hours • Today- Ragsdale Study Abroad Fair • Monday- 10-1

  4. Bureaucracy

  5. Why a Bureaucracy • The Tasks of Government • The Public Goods Problem • The Size of Government

  6. Why a Bureaucracy: Human Resources • 2 million employees • 1.4 million active duty personnel • 24% of Total GDP

  7. The Bureaucracy in the Constitution • No specific mention • Article II- implies a bureaucracy • The Founders didn’t expect a large role

  8. The Pendleton Act and The Spoils System • “To the victor goes the spoils” • James Garfield (RIP) • The Pendleton Act (1883)

  9. The Bureaucracy Today

  10. Responding to problems • Changes cause Bureaucratic Growth • Expansion • Economic Crises • New Social Problems • War and terrorism

  11. The Size of the Bureaucracy

  12. Cabinet Positions • 15 Top Departments • Cabinet Heads are appointed by the president • Must be confirmed by the Senate

  13. Independent/Executive Agencies • Report to the President • The result of overlapping jurisdictions • Promote Independence and openness

  14. The Case of Social Security • Used to be part of Health and Human Services • “spun-off” in 1994 • Now it is independent

  15. The Regulatory Commissions • Regulate some aspect of the Economy • Appointed By the President in over-lapping terms • Free of Presidential Control and partisan tides

  16. The Case of the EPA • Not a regulatory Commission • Under control of the President • Why is this the case?

  17. Government Corporations • Provide public goods • Run like a business to increase efficiency • Not designed to make a profit

  18. The Case of the Post Office • Once a cabinet level position • Government Corporation status in 1971 • Monopoly on letters and mailboxes • Facing 8.5 Billion shortfall

  19. The bureaucracy as policy maker

  20. Administering Policy • The oldest job of the government • Day-to-day functions

  21. Providing Information • Collecting and disseminating data • Policy Expertise • Examples • http://www.eia.gov/

  22. Delegated Legislative Authority • This is the power of the Bureaucracy to draft as well as execute, specific policies. • Why? • Effect

  23. The Bureaucracy as regulator

  24. What is Regulation? • an imposition of restrictions on the activity of market participants. • “The Watchdog of Public safety, Is there any lower form of Life • Usually the action of a regulatory agency

  25. The Problem of Market Failure

  26. Market Failure: Imperfect Information • Government acts to correct deficiencies in the marketplace • Imperfect Information • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc1TBBp4dC8

  27. Market Failure: Taking advantage of Workers • Why? • Examples • Child Labor • Unsafe work Conditions

  28. Damage of Common Property • Exploiting shared resources • Tragedy of the commons • Government must intervene

  29. Market Failure: Monopoly • What is it? • Horizontal • Vertical

  30. Horizontal Monopoly

  31. How the bureaucracy Regulates

  32. Requiring Information • Reduce information costs • Placed on food, prescription drugs, tobacco

  33. The Case of Prescription Drugs • Single largest factor in increasing health care costs • Direct-to-consumer marketing • Must say certain things • http://www.lunesta.com/about/see-our-tv-ad.html

  34. Licensing and Ownership • Control who participates in the marketplace • Television- Radio • Poor Jesse- addicted to caffeine

  35. Rule-Making and Adjudication • Very inexpensive to do • Money through fines • Federal Law Enforcement

  36. Incentives and Sanctions Incentives Sanctions These Try to Discourage Behavior Fines and taxes Gas Guzzlers • These try to encourage behavior • Money, tax breaks • Electric Cars • Heavy Duty Vehicles

  37. Problems with Regulation • Higher Prices • Foreign Competition

  38. Deregulation • Reducing regulations on business • Attempts to lower costs to consumers and business • Can lead to re-regulation

  39. Article III The supreme court

  40. The Courts in the Constitution • Article III Section I • One supreme court • Ability to Create others • Tenure of office • Article III Section 3- treason

  41. Article III Section 2 • ambassadors and other ministers, counsels, and admiralty • controversies between two or more states • between citizens vs foreign citizens or states.

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