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THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY Examining the “Fourth Branch”

bureaucracy

• literally

means “rule

by desks”

• government

by clerks

bureaucracy Definition: an administrative

system, especially in a

government, that divides work

into specific categories carried

out by special departments of

nonelected officials

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy

• administration of government through departments

• consists of unelected often highly trained professionals

• task specialization

• hierarchical authority

Public Perceptions

of 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?

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?

Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy

1. Implementation - carry out laws of

Congress, executive orders of the President

2. Administration - routine administrative

work; provide services (ex: SSA sends

social security checks to beneficiaries)

3. 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

The Federal Bureaucracy

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How is the federal bureaucracy organized?

The Federal Bureaucracy

Consists of

1. Cabinet Departments

2. Independent Executive Agencies

3. Independent Regulatory Commissions

4. Government Corporations

Federal Bureaucracy

President Congress

Executive

Office

of the

President (Ex: OMB, NSC)

Government Corporations (Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)

Independent

Regulatory

Commissions (Ex: FCC, SEC)

Independent

Executive

Agencies

(Ex: CIA, NASA)

Cabinet

Departments (Ex: State, Defense)

Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy

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

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

Secretary ----------------------------------

Deputy Secretary

Under Secretary

Science and Technology

Under Secretary

Information Analysis and

Infrastructure Protection

Under Secretary

Border &

Transportation Security

Under Secretary

Emergency

Preparedness and

Response

Under Secretary

Management

Inspector General

Director of the

Secret Service (1)

Commandant of

Coast 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 Staff

Privacy Officer

Executive Secretary

International Affairs

Counter Narcotics

Small & Disadvantaged

Business

Note (1): Effective March 1st, 2003

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.

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

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

Who works for the federal government?

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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?

Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/

Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

Who supervises the

federal bureaucracy?

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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

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 Chief Michael Brown testifies before

House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina

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

The Bureaucracy of Pizza

Thinking 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

Bureaucracy

Artist: unknown, La

Presna, Panama

Date: 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 Courant

Date: February, 2006 Source: : http://www.politicalcartoons.com

Title: FEMA’s Follies

Artist: Mike Keefe, The Denver Post

Date: April, 2006 Source: http://www.cagle.com/news/FEMASFollies/main.asp