Post on 15-Jul-2015
THE FEDERAL THE FEDERAL BUREACRACYBUREACRACYExamining the “Fourth Branch”Examining the “Fourth Branch”
bureaucracybureaucracyDefinition: an administrative system, especially in a government, that divides work into specific categories carried out by special departments of nonelected officials
Characteristics of a Characteristics of a BureaucracyBureaucracy
• administration of government through departments• consists of unelected often
highly trained professionals• task specialization• hierarchical authority
Public PerceptionsPublic Perceptionsof Bureaucraciesof Bureaucracies
• impersonal
• inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures
• may stifle effectiveness and innovation
• “red tape”
The Federal Bureaucracy
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What is the federal bureaucracy?What is the federal bureaucracy?
The Federal Bureaucracy is:The Federal Bureaucracy is:
4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants”
President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments)
15 cabinet level departments 200+ independent agencies with 2,000+
bureaus, divisions, branches, etc. Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal
Service, Veterans Administration
The Federal Bureaucracy
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What does the federal bureaucracy do?What does the federal bureaucracy do?
Functions of the Federal Functions of the Federal BureaucracyBureaucracy
1.1. ImplementationImplementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President
2.2. AdministrationAdministration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries)
3.3. RegulationRegulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards)
Source: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/am_gov/chap6/a0606401.asp
The Federal Bureaucracy
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How is the federal bureaucracy How is the federal bureaucracy organized?organized?
The Federal BureaucracyThe Federal Bureaucracy
Consists of1. Cabinet Departments 2. Independent Executive Agencies3. Independent Regulatory
Commissions4. Government Corporations
Federal Bureaucracy
President Congress
Executive Officeof the
President(Ex: OMB, NSC)
Government Corporations(Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)
Independent Regulatory
Commissions(Ex: FCC, SEC)
Independent Executive Agencies
(Ex: CIA, NASA)
CabinetDepartments
(Ex: State, Defense)
Organization of the Federal BureaucracyOrganization of the Federal Bureaucracy
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
The Cabinet DepartmentsThe Cabinet Departments
• The 15 cabinet departments headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president and approved by the Senate
• Each department “expert” in specific policy area
• Each department has its own budget• Department of Homeland Security, created in
2002, is newest department
Secretary----------------------------------
Deputy Secretary
Under SecretaryScience and Technology
Under Secretary Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection
Under SecretaryBorder &
Transportation Security
Under Secretary Emergency
Preparedness and Response
Under SecretaryManagement
Inspector General
Director of theSecret Service (1)
Commandant ofCoast Guard (1)
Director, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (1)
General Counsel
State and Local Coordination
Special Assistant to the Secretary(private sector)
National Capital Region Coordination
Shared Services
Citizenship & Immigration Service
Ombudsman (1)
Legislative Affairs
Public Affairs
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Department of Homeland Security
Chief of StaffPrivacy Officer
Executive Secretary
International Affairs
Counter Narcotics
Small & Disadvantaged Business
Note (1): Effective March 1st, 2003
Independent Executive AgenciesIndependent 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.
• Some examples include: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.
Independent Regulatory CommissionsIndependent Regulatory Commissions
• IRCs exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest such as the Federal Communications Commission (public air waves) or Federal Reserve Board (banking system, money supply)
• IRCs operate independently from Congress and the President
• Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause
Government CorporationsGovernment Corporations
• Government owned businesses created by Congress
• May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need
• Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Tennessee Valley Authority, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Who works for the federal Who works for the federal government?government?
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Who are the “Bureaucrats?”Who are the “Bureaucrats?”• 97% are career government employees• Only 10% live in the D.C. area• 30% work for the D.O.D.• Less than 15% work for social welfare
agencies• Most are white collar workers:
secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers
• Civil employees more diverse demographically than Congress
Where do Federal Employees Work?
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do?What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do?
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
Who supervises the Who supervises the federal bureaucracy?federal bureaucracy?
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The President Supervises the The President Supervises the BureaucracyBureaucracy
The President can:
• appoint & remove appoint & remove agency agency headsheads
• reorganize the reorganize the bureaucracybureaucracy
• issue executive ordersissue executive orders
• reduce an agency's reduce an agency's budgetbudget
President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007
Congress Oversees the BureaucracyCongress Oversees the BureaucracyCongress can:
• create or abolish agencies & departments
• cut or reduce funding
• investigate agency activities
• hold committee hearings
• pass legislation that alters an agency's functions
• influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments
Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown testifies before
House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina
Federal Courts Check the BureaucracyFederal Courts Check the Bureaucracy
Federal courts can:
• through judicial review rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U.S. Constitution
• provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action Supreme Court of the United States
Thinking CriticallyThinking Critically
1. Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the fourth branch?”
2. Some critics believe that the real power in the federal government lies with the federal bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this is true?
Title: The Damages of the
BureaucracyArtist: unknown, La
Presna, PanamaDate: May, 2006
Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com
Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class
Artist: Chip Bok Date: unknown
Source: http://www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif
Title: Another Layer of Bureaucracy
Artist: Bob Englehart, The Hartford CourantDate: February, 2006
Source: : http://www.politicalcartoons.com
Title: FEMA’s Follies
Artist: Mike Keefe, The Denver PostDate: April, 2006
Source: http://www.cagle.com/news/FEMASFollies/main.asp