Chapter 15: THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY

1. Chapter 15:THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY Examining the “Fourth Branch”

2. Bureaucracy • Bureaucracy literally means “government of small desks”. • Large, complex organization of appointed, not elected officials. • Max Weber (20th century German economist) ~ bureaucracy is the rational way to run a government.

3. Who are bureaucrats? • 1 out of 100 Americans work for the government bureaucracy • 4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants” • President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments) • 15 cabinet level departments • 97% are career government employees, 30% work for the D.O.D. • Most are white-collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers • 200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc. • Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration

4. Characteristics of a Bureaucracy • Hierarchical authority structure – chain of command • Task specialization – individuals have unique jobs, division of labor • Extensive rules – clear policies for the organization to follow • Clear goals – clearly defined mission

5. 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)

6. The Cabinet Departments The 15 cabinet departments are headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. Each department is the “expert” in specific policy area. Each department has its own budget that is approved by Congress each year. The Department of Homeland Security (2002) is newest department.

7. 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 Examples: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA

8. Independent Regulatory Commissions Exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest Operate independently from Congress and the President Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause Examples: FCC, the Fed, FTC

9. Government Corporations Government owned businesses created by Congress May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

10. Accountability Bureaucracy is constrained and controlled by the US government Congress Appropriates money, authorizes the spending of money, oversees agency activity, create/abolish agencies. President Job appointments, executive orders, budget control, reorganize agencies. Supreme Court Judicial review of bureaucracies actions, due process.

11. Controlling the Bureaucracy • Patronage - Rewarding supporters with jobs • Pendleton Act (1883) • Created in response to criticism of patronage, more jobs will be selected based on merit • Hatch Act (1939) • Agency employees can’t participate in political activities (elections, campaigns, fund raisers) • Softened in recent decades b/c of 1st Amendment issues

12. Public Perceptions and Criticism of Bureaucracies • “Red tape” – maze of government rules, regulations, and paperwork that makes government overwhelming to citizens • Conflict – agencies that often work toward opposite goals • Duplication – agencies appear to do the same thing • Unchecked growth – agencies expand unnecessarily at high costs • Waste – spending more than necessary • Lack of accountability – difficult in firing an incompetent bureaucrat

13. Iron Triangles A three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests. CONGRESS

14. How does it work? Everyone in the triangle has a similar interest. • Legislatorsget funding from interest groups and make laws reality with the help of the bureaucracy • Interest groups provide valued information to bureaucrats and money to legislators • Bureau chiefs implement legislator policy and interest group goals.