***BUREAUCRACY*** A large, complex organization of appointed officials. ELEMENTS OF THE BUREAUCRACY CABINET (Partisan) VP + heads (Secretaries) of 15 major executive agencies/executive departments EX: State, Defense, Agriculture, Treasury Secretaries often receive appointments due to expertise and reward for political loyalty

EXECUTIVE OFFICE (Partisan) -Agencies of the ExBr that report directly to POTUS • Office of Management and Budget (OMB) • National Security Council • Council of Economic Advisors ***RULE OF PROPINQUITY*** Whomever is in the room when the decision is made has the most power. The closer your office it the Oval Office, the more influence you have over POTUS

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES (Bipartisan) Agencies outside of the cabinet and the Executive Office EX: Federal Reserve, CIA, NASA, FEC INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCIES Same as above but with the specific task of regulating human activity EX: EPA ***GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS Business-like organizations created by Congress to perform a service. EX: USPS, Amtrak, FDIC

SHARED POWERS The executive and legislative branches share control over the

bureaucracy. PRESIDENTIAL CONTROL POTUS may appoint and fire members of the cabinet and the

executive office

POTUS may appoint but may not fire commissioners and chairpersons of independent agencies

CONGRESSIONAL CONTROL

Creates agencies to deal with specific policies/issues via legislation

Senate confirms presidential appointees

Impeachment

***APPROPRIATIONS: funds for the agency to spend on specific programs. ***OVERSIGHT***: Power to investigate the actions of the

bureaucracy via committee

BUREAUCRATIC POWER ***DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY: The ability of bureaucrats to shape how laws are enforced. EX: IRS/Tea Party Controversy

BUREAUCRATIC ALLIANCES "IRON TRIANGLES "ISSUE NETWORKS

***IRON TRIANGLES (aka: Sub-Governments) A three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats and special interests to make or preserve policies that protect their respective interests.

IRON TRINGLES: HOW DO THEY WORK? Special Interest Groups • Persuade decision-makers to adopt their preferences • Providing information to lawmakers • Writing legislation/Inserting language that favors their cause

into legislation Members of Congress Pass bills that are favorable to the interest group; often

***PORK BARREL SPENDING: Programs that only benefit a small group of people.

Provide funding to the bureaucracy to carry them out. Bureaucrats Make regulations and award contracts that benefit the SIG. Use ***discretionary authority*** to fund projects in the

districts and states of friendly legislators

***ISSUE NETWORKS An alliance of various interest groups, elected officials and bureaucrats who debate a single issue in government policy. Additional layers added to an iron triangle: Lawyers, consultants, academics Often split along partisan lines.

WHY IS THE BUREAUCRACY SO POWERFUL? GROWTH Federal bureaucracy has grown as demands on the federal government have increased. The Washington Administration only had three cabinet

departments: State, War & Treasury The post-Civil War period saw industrialization, the emergence of

a national economy and greater need for control over interstate commerce.

1930s-40s The Depression led to government activism through the administration of large New Deal programs.

WWII: Heavy use of income taxes supported war effort and a large bureaucracy Bureaucrats made it difficult for Congress to challenge their decisions because “It’s for the war.”

9/11 New cabinet department: Homeland Security Coast Guard moved to Homeland Security, creation of the TSA etc.