9The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy

- President Jackson’s era:Spoils system- practice where a political party, after wining an election, gives government job to party supporters/ voters. -The system was based on patronage (jobs, grants, or any other special favor as reward to a friend or political allies for support)- President Hayes’ proposal:Merit System- a system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability rather than party loyalty (not politics). Pendleton Act- proposed after the Spoil System; established the principle of federal employment based on open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commission. Civil Service Commission- the merit system by which many federal bureaucrats are selected (90 %)

Spoils v. Merit System

Bureaucracy: Governmental organizations they implement the laws and carry out presidential decisions. Large, complex organization of

appointed, not elected officials Fundamental part of American Democracy,

often labeled the “4th branch of government.”

Barely mentioned in the Constitution; created and funded by Congress

Reports to Congress and President

What’s a bureaucracy?

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/bloated-bureaucracy-washington-house-senate-debate-13067050

Federal bureaucrats are career government employees who work in the Cabinet-level departments and independent agencies.

their salaries is based on “General Schedule” (they advance 15 grades moving into higher levels and salaries)

“Bureaucrat” = the employees in public bureaucracies who are selected based on merit through the civil service system.

Who are bureaucrats?

Bureaucracy consists of the following:

1. Cabinet departments- 15 agencies2. Government corporations- business established by Congress to perform functions that could

be provided by private businesses. (Ex. Amtrak, FDIC)3. Independent Executive Agencies-governmental units that closely resemble a Cabinet

department but have narrow areas of responsibility, and perform services rather than regulatory functions. (NASA)

4. Independent regulatory Commissions- agencies created by Congress to exist outside the major departments to regulate a specific economic activity or interest. (FCC- securities and Exchange Commission) Responsible for regulating some sector of the economy-- making and enforcing rules

“watchdog” Makes rules for large businesses and industries that affect the interests of the public Controlled by a small commission of 5-10 people, appointed/ confirmed Quasi independent - Not directly controlled by the President and cannot be fired by

President Include the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal

Elections Commission, Federal Reserve Board (controls banks, regulates the supply of $), Federal Trade Commission (regulates monopolies), National Labor Relations

What do government corporations do?

8.2

What are the Cabinet Departments?

FIGURE 8.2: What are the federal agency regions, and where are their headquarters located?

8.2

Who Controls the Bureaucracy? Government Workers and Political

Involvement

A Government bureau cannot hire, fire, build, or sell without going through procedures set by Congress

CongressBudget

Authorization – Money must be allotted (selected) from Congress (Committee states the maximum amount an agency may spend)

Appropriation - $ set aside for specific use (usually less than authorized amount)

OversightHearings may be held to publicly question

agency abusesAppointments (approval)Rewriting legislation to be sure it is specific

and detailed to restrict the power of an agencyDuplication

Gives the same job to several agencies (drug trafficking – CIA, FBI, DEA); leads to contradictions and conflict, but keeps any agency from becoming too powerful

Government Workers and Political Involvement

Hatch Act- The 1939 act prohibited civil servants (employees) from taking activist roles on partisan campaigns.

Prohibited federal employees from making political contribution, working for a particular party, or campaigning for a particular candidate.

Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993- Federal employees are now allowed to run for office in non-partisan elections and to contribute money to campaigns in partisan elections.

Who Controls the Bureaucracy?

President Budget (Office of Management and

Budget) – may cut or add to an agency’s budget (Congress has final say)

Appointments (with Senate) Executive Orders that must be obeyed

by agencies Reorganization – Pres. May reorganize or

combine agencies to reward or punish them

Courts Administrative law courts

Pressure from interest groups, private sector, political parties

What does the Hatch Act stipulate?

http://www.hippocampus.org/HippoCampus/History%20%26%20Government;jsessionid=F35D92356CD51D45DEFE800358B1A526

Bureaucracy, Interest Groups and Lobbyist

Interest groups have strong informal ties and influence over implementation of policy Provide valuable information agencies need to execute

policy Pressure bureaucrats to interpret a policy favorable to that

specific interest group Political Alliances Iron Triangles

Alliance between interest groups, congressional committee members, bureaucrats to push for the same policy and favorable implementation; strong

the stable, cooperative relationships that often develop between a congressional committee, an administrative agency, and supportive interest groups

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57527490/behind-the-closed-doors-of-washington-lobbyists/

What constitutes an iron triangle?

Criticisms and Reforms Criticism:

Too much “red tape” (complicated maze of govt rules and paperwork that makes government seem overwhelming and confusing)

Conflicting agencies Duplication and waste– several agencies wasting time

and $ working on the same thing Lack of accountability -difficult to fire incompetent

employees. Only a small % of bureaucrats directly appointed by Prez., so agencies can be politically unresponsive.

Reform Proposals: Limiting appointments to 6-12 years Making it easier to fire a bureaucrat Rotating professionals between agencies and from

outside Increasing employee initiatives and decreasing rules Emphasizing customer satisfaction

a. Cabinet departments

b. Independent agencies

c. Independent regulatory commissions

d. Government corporations

8.2 Which of the following organizational entities has a narrow focus on a specific policy issue?

8.2

a. Cabinet departments

b. Independent agencies

c. Independent regulatory commissions

d. Government corporations

8.2 Which of the following organizational entities has a narrow focus on a specific policy issue?

8.2

FIGURE 8.5 How is a regulation made?

8.3

TABLE 8.2 How many comments do agencies receive on proposed rules?

8.3

8.3 What helps keep government agencies running smoothly on day-to-day issues?

a. Administrative Law Judge authority

b. Administrative Procedures Act

c. Administrative rule-making and regulations

d. Administrative discretion

8.3

8.3 What helps keep government agencies running smoothly on day-to-day issues?

a. Administrative Law Judge authority

b. Administrative Procedures Act

c. Administrative rule-making and regulations

d. Administrative discretion

8.3

Table 8.3: How are agencies made accountable?

8.4

a. Authorizes maximum amount of funding

b. Issues injunctions to halt regulations

c. Nominates heads of agencies

d. Determines best way to implement

regulations

8.48.4 What is one check Congress has on government agencies?

a. Authorizes maximum amount of funding

b. Issues injunctions to halt regulations

c. Nominates heads of agencies

d. Determines best way to implement

regulations

8.48.4 What is one check Congress has on government agencies?