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The Bureaucracy

The Bureaucracy. What is a bureaucracy ?. Bureau – ( Fr. ) desk, also office ( rule by people at desks ) Form of government that operates through impersonal, uniform rules and procedures Includes agencies, departments, & commissions within executive branch

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The Bureaucracy

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  1. The Bureaucracy

  2. What is a bureaucracy? • Bureau – (Fr.) desk, also office (rule by people at desks) • Form of government that operates through impersonal, uniform rules and procedures • Includes agencies, departments, & commissions within executive branch • 2.7 million bureaucrats work for the federal government; another 1.4 million serve in armed forces • Federal agencies are created/abolished by Congress • Members of Congress are prohibited from serving in any executive branch positions • In theory – a pyramid hierarchy with President at the top of the chain of command • In reality – difficult to manage because of size; duplication among departments creates confusion/inconsistency

  3. Structure of the Bureaucracy • Executive Office of the President • closest advisors and staff • Executive Branch Departments (Cabinet) • largest federal organization and have broadest missions, highest rank in hierarchy (leaders require Senate Confirmation) • 15 departments and 6 others with “Cabinet rank” • Employ 70% of civil servants; spend 93% of federal $ • Contain many agencies within them • Independent agencies • focused on specific responsibilities • free from control by legislative, executive, and judicial branches – but must report to President • organized much like Cabinet but lack “Cabinet rank” (NASA, EPA)

  4. Structure of the Bureaucracy • Independent regulatory commissions • created by Congress to regulate important aspects of the nation • have quasi-legislative power – do not report to the President • Federal Reserve Board, FCC, FEC, SEC • huge impact on daily life • Commissioners are appointed by president (confirmed by Senate) for fixed terms and can’t be removed unless a specific reason is given

  5. Structure of the Bureaucracy • Government corporations • Operate like private business • Have more freedom than traditional government departments & agencies • Have greater control over the hiring and firing of employees; can make money through the sale of goods and services • created by Congress to carry out various business operations (Postal Service, Amtrak)

  6. Evolution of the Bureaucracy • Started small – Departments of State, Treasury, and War; Post Office Department & Justice Department quickly followed • Jefferson had fewer than 2000 people in bureaucracy • As nation grew, new services needed to be provided to the citizenry (education, defense, technology, welfare) • Jackson introduced spoils system to fill federal jobs – led to patronage and corruption • Pendleton Act (1883) – civil service system created to avoid corruption (exam and merit based) • Today the Office of Personnel Management administers civil service laws, rules, & regulations • 90% of all federal workers are civil service workers • Hatch Act (1939) – bans federal employees from active participation in certain political activities; revised in 1993

  7. Bureaucracy’s Job • Execute or implement the laws of the land (convert law into action) • Administrative discretion – authority given by Congress to the bureaucracy to use reasonable judgment in implementing the laws • How do they implement? • Set regulations – what they can/can’t do as well as what they must do • Spend money – federal $$ goes to the dictated areas; most goes toward uncontrollable spending – entitlements & required spending (Social Security, interest on debt)

  8. Accountability • Presidential control • Reorganization & budgeting • 4000 appointments (only some have to be confirmed) • Oversight • Congressional control • Establishment • Approving budgets/appropriating funds • Confirming appointments • Authorizing new programs/shifts in direction • Investigations and hearings • Oversight

  9. Love-Hate Relationship • Hate • Red tape – nothing gets done quickly because too many people/agencies involved • Wasteful & inefficient – money is spent just to ensure that the budget is bigger next year • Bureaucrats only care about job security and are not held to the same private standards • Public opinion: government creates more problems than it solves (93% of Americans in 2003) • Lack motivation and imagination to solve problems

  10. Love-Hate Relationship • Love • Numerous positive effects • Wants the government to fulfill certain needs • Government can be called on in times of disaster

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