Bureaucracy Chapter 10

1. BureaucracyChapter 10 Examining the “Fourth Branch” of Federal Government

2. Essential Questions • What is the importance of the Federal Bureaucracy?

3. I CAN: • Define the concept of Bureaucracy and describe its characteristics, structure, and functions. • Explain the concept of a Bureaucrat and their functions within the government

4. Bureaucracy - • A professional corps of unelected officials organized in a pyramid hierarchy, functioning under impersonal uniform rules and procedures.

5. Bureaucracy • Offices have specified missions and employees are assigned responsibility based on merit, knowledge, and experience.

6. Organization Cont.

7. bureaucracy Definition:an administrative system, especially in a government, that divides work into specific categories carried out by special departments of nonelected officials

8. bureaucracy • literally means “rule by desks” • government by clerks

9. Duty of Bureaucracy • Most Important duty: Carry out the Day-to-Day business of the government

10. Bureaucrat A Civil servant • Permanent employee of the government. Hired on basis of competitive examination and merit.

11. The Federal Bureaucracy is: • 4 million employees; 2.9 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

12. 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 Who are the “Bureaucrats?”

13. Demographics of Federal Employees

14. Bureaucratic Statistics • 2.9 million civilians • 1.4 million military • 4.2 million state • 11.4 million local • Total: 19.8 million people work for government

15. Where do Federal Employees Work? Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

16. What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do? Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

18. 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) Source:http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/am_gov/chap6/a0606401.asp

19. Federal Bureaucracy Federal Bureaucracy President Congress Executive Office of the President (Ex: OMB, NSC) Independent Regulatory Commissions (Ex: FCC, SEC) Independent Executive Agencies (Ex: CIA, NASA) Cabinet Departments (Ex: State, Defense) Government Corporations (Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)

20. The 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

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

22. Independent Agencies • Similar to cabinet departments but usually have a narrower area of responsibility • Ex: NASA, CIA • Perform services for the executive branch

23. Independent 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

24. Regulatory Commissions • Administrative units that have responsibility for the monitoring and regulation of ongoing economic activities • Created to make rules for large industries and businesses that affect public interest • Under intense pressure from lobbyists • Ex: EPA (environment), SEC (stocks and bonds)

25. Government 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

26. Government Corporations • Are similar to private organizations in that they can charge for their services but differ in that they receive federal funding • Ex: TVA, USPS, Amtrak

27. Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

28. Characteristics of a Bureaucracy • administration of government through departments • consists of unelected often highly trained professionals • task specialization • hierarchical authority

29. Public Perceptionsof Bureaucracies • impersonal • inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures • may stifle effectiveness and innovation • “red tape”

30. Title: The Damages of the Bureaucracy Artist: unknown, La Presna, Panama Date: May, 2006 Source:http://www.politicalcartoons.com

31. Criticism of Bureaucracy I. RED TAPE • too many rigid procedures • too many policies with no flexibility for special circumstances • too many forms to fill out, lines to wait II.INEFFICIENCY • lack of incentive to be productive III. DUPLICATION OF SERVICES • bureaucracy is so complicated • agencies are performing similar or sometimes the same functions (Dept. of Commerce overlaps with Dept. of Agriculture, GSA overlaps with Dept. of Interior, etc.) • federalism makes this more complicated--many services are provided at both the state and national levels.

32. Criticisms Continued IV. BUREAUCRACY IS LAW MAKER • regulations end up having the effect of law. • duty of implementing laws often allows bureaucrats to interpret those laws. V. BUREAUCRACY IS TOO BIG • privatization would be more effective VI. BUREAUCRACY MAY BE CORRUPT • iron triangle -the relationship between the Executive branch, Congress, and interest groups can lead to policy-making decisions which benefit private interests at the expense of the public good.

33. Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class Artist: Chip Bok Date: unknown Source: http://www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif

34. The President Supervises the Bureaucracy The President can: • appoint & remove agency heads • reorganize the bureaucracy • issue executive orders • reduce an agency's budget President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007

35. Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy Congress 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 Chie Michael Brown testifies before House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina

36. Federal 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

37. Question • Why do you think that the organization of Bureaucracies are so confusing?

38. Essential Questions • What is the major importance of the Federal Bureaucracy?

39. Works Cited Page • http://www.federalbudget.com/chartinfo.html • www.youthleadership.net • The Federal Bureaucracy: Examining the Fourth Branch