THE FEDERAL THE FEDERAL BUREACRACYBUREACRACY

Examining the “Fourth Branch”Examining the “Fourth Branch”

Objectives

• Identify how the federal bureaucracy functions in our government.

• List the characteristics of a bureaucracy.

• Identify different components of our bureaucracy.

bureaucracybureaucracy

• literally means “rule by desks”

• government by clerks

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 is:The Federal Bureaucracy is: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

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

Functions of the Federal Functions of the Federal BureaucracyBureaucracyFunctions 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

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 BureaucracyThe Federal BureaucracyThe 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)

The Cabinet DepartmentsThe Cabinet DepartmentsThe 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

Independent Executive AgenciesIndependent Executive AgenciesIndependent Executive AgenciesIndependent Executive Agencies

• Established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch

• Given a specific task and generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one.

• Some examples include: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.

Independent Regulatory CommissionsIndependent Regulatory CommissionsIndependent 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 CorporationsGovernment CorporationsGovernment Corporations

• Government owned businesses created by Congress

• serve a public need

• Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Tennessee Valley Authority, Corporation for Public Broadcasting

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 What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do?Do?

Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

The President Supervises The President Supervises the Bureaucracy the Bureaucracy

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

• 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