The Bureaucracy
Chapter 15
Define: Bureaucracy
A large, complex administrative
structure that handles the everyday
business of an organization.
Why It Matters
The Federal Government is the nations
largest employer. Nearly 2.7 million
men and women work in the federal
bureaucracy, and they do nearly all of
the day-to-day work of the
government.
Red Tape or Efficient and
Effective
Does the federal bureaucracy cause
unnecessary work and delays, or is it
an efficient and effective way to
organize people and get work done?
Three features of a
Bureaucracy
1. Hierarchical authority
2. Job specialization
3. Formalized rules
Undemocratic???
Bureaucrats are unelected public-
policy makers; that is to say they are
appointed to office.
Does this conflict with the democratic
nature of our government?
Major Elements
Includes all the people, agencies, and
procedures through which the Federal
Government operates.
The means by which the government
makes and administers public policy --
- the sum of its decisions and actions.
Executive Branch
Nearly all of the Federal Bureaucracy is located
in the Executive Branch.
The Constitution deems the President chief
administrator of the Federal Government.
Article II suggests executive departments by
giving the President the power to “require the
Opinion, in writing, of the principle Officer in
each of the executive Departments.”
The Constitution
Beyond the brief mention of a few
departments, the Constitution is silent
on the organization of the executive
branch.
The Framers did intend for
administrative agencies to be created
in order to put policies into action.
Three Groups of Agencies
in the Executive Branch
1. The Executive Office of the President
2. The 15 Cabinet Departments
3. A large number of independent
agencies
Staff and Line Agencies
Staff – serve in a support capacity
Line – actually perform the tasks for
which the organization exist
The Executive Office
of the President
Complex organization of several
separate agencies staffed by most of
the President’s closest advisors and
assistants.
Established in 1939 and reorganized in
every administration since.
The White House Office
Includes the President’s key personnel
and political staff.
Chief of Staff directs its operations and
is a very influential advisor.
The National Security
Council
Plays a major role in foreign affairs,
but also advises the President on all
domestic and military matters
concerning the nation’s security.
Office of Homeland
Security
Newest major agency in the EOP
Created by George W. Bush after 9-
11-01
Work closely with Cabinet Department
of Homeland Security and keep the
President informed on efforts to
protect against terrorism
Office of Management and
Budget (OMB)
Largest unit in the EOP
Prepares the federal budget (detailed
estimate of receipts and expenditures, an
anticipation of federal income and outgo,
during the next fiscal year)
Fiscal year – the 12 month period used by
government and business for record
keeping, budgeting, and other financial
management purposes / federal
government’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1st
to Sept. 30th
OMB (con’t)
The OMB reviews proposals from all
other federal agencies about how
much money each is requesting and
revises the amount to fit the
President’s overall program.
Oversees the execution of the budget
by monitoring the funds Congress
appropriates.
The Executive
Departments
The 15 traditional units of federal administration
that are often called the Cabinet departments.
They carry out the bulk of the Federal
Government’s work, with each being built
around some broad field of activity.
The Cabinet is an informal advisory board
convened by the President to serve his needs; it
is made up of the heads of each executive
department and other top officials.
Chief Officers and Staff
Each department head is called a secretary,
except the head of the Department of
Justice, who is the attorney general.
These heads act as primary links between
the President and the subunits within their
departments.
Chosen by the President and confirmed by
the Senate.
Custom and Tradition
The Constitution makes no mention of
the Cabinet, nor did Congress create
it. Instead, it is the product of custom
and usage.
The Cabinet’s Role
Varies from administration to
administration
Nothing stipulates that the President
has to use the Cabinet, but most do
No President has ever suggested
eliminating the cabinet, but some have
leaned on other advisors more heavily
than the cabinet
Executive Departments
1. State 9. Health and Human Services
2. Treasury 10. Housing and Urban
3. Defense Development
4. Justice 11. Transportation
5. Interior 12. Energy
6. Agriculture 13. Education
7. Commerce 14. Veterans Affairs
8. Labor 15. Homeland Security
Independent Agencies
Agencies that operate outside the
executive departments
Reasons for Existence
Do not fit well into any department
Need protection from department politics
Because of the nature of their functions
Three Main Types
1. Independent executive agencies -
organized much like executive departments,
with subunits and a single head, but do not
have Cabinet status.
2. Independent regulatory agencies -
regulate important aspects of the nation’s
economy. Largely outside of presidential
control, and are quasi-legislative and quasi-
judicial.
3. Government corporations – within
executive branch and subject to the direction
and control of the President, but set up by
Congress to carry out certain business-like
activities.
Assessment
How do independent agencies differ from the
other agencies in the executive branch?
--- some lie outside of the executive branch
and are largely free of presidential control;
some carry out business-like functions;
some have quasi-legislative and/or quasi-
judicial powers
The Civil Service
The group of public employees who
perform the government’s administrative
work outside the military.
All other jobs in the executive branch;
typically hired and promoted based on
performance and ability, not appointed by
the President as many higher level
positions throughout the rest of the
executive branch.
Importance
Helped to reduce corruption and
political influence within the
administration, and helped to promote
merit.
Patronage / Spoils
System
The practice of giving government
jobs to friends and political supporters.
Resulted in inefficiency and corruption
Attempts to change began with
assassination of President Garfield by
a disgruntled office-seeker
Civil Service Act of 1883 /
Pendleton Act
Laid the foundation for the current civil
service system
It’s main purpose was to make merit – the
quality of one’s work – the basis for hiring,
promotion, and other personnel actions in
the federal work force.
Today, most federal employees are hired
through a competitive process based on
merit
Hatch Act of 1939
Law that places restrictions on the
political activities of federal civil
servants
Allows federal workers to vote in
elections, but forbids them from taking
part in partisan political activities
Revised in 1993 to allow them to do
most activities except for running as
candidates in partisan elections