Introduction to the Federal Bureaucracy

Chapter 15, Theme A

Agency Review

1. EPA2. OSHA3. FDA4. FCC5. DEA6. FTC

A. Workplace accidentsB. Over-the-counter cold

remediesC. False advertising claimsD. Fuel spills in open waterE. Offensive content on TVF. Marijuana growing

operations

Why study the bureaucracy as a separate institution?

The Bureaucracy does the day-to-day work of the federal governmentNo agency specifically mentioned in Constitution Congress given the power to create & define President appoints leaders to oversee w/ Senate

adv.

Carry out laws made by Congress. These are often vague, so bureaucrats have a great deal of discretionary authority.To understand the bureaucracy is to understand how the government operates & decisions are made.

Defining the termA bureaucracy is any large organization that has: Internal division of labor and

specialization by function Employees recruited & promoted

based on relevant expertise & merit

Clear hierarchy (lines of authority) Established rules & SOPs Emphasis on establishing goals

efficiently & effectively

Examples include corporation, school systems & governments

The American Bureaucracy

Is a slave to all three branches Congress makes laws, creates

agencies, and has legislative oversight powers

President appoints heads of agencies (can remove in many cases thanks to Madison) & recommends budget for government

Supreme Court interprets laws and mediate disputes in implementation of laws by the bureaucracy

Federalism causes overlap and similar bureaucratic agencies at the state and local level to exist: US IRS NC Dept. of Revenue Currituck Co. Tax Department

Public perception is negative. Wasteful Oppressive Slow

The American Bureaucracy

The adversary culture has led to a scrutiny of every action of the bureaucracy. Decisions are challenged in the courts The media publicizes abuses as common

Privatization is American way but citizens demand regulation & oversight.

The American Bureaucracy

Government by proxy has become the norm in the US. Pros: Flexibility, embodiment of

federalism Cons: Wasteful, inefficient

Each branches is a bureaucracy unto themselves outside of the bureaucratic institution.

The American Bureaucracy

Homeland Security

Types of Departments and AgenciesFederal Bureaucracy as an institution is

composed of 5 components: Executive Departments- Cabinet

departments (15 of them) Secretaries work for the President & his agenda.

Independent Agencies- all heads are nominated by President, approved by Senate, but cannot be fired by President due to fixed terms. (CIA, FBI)

Types of Departments and Agencies

Executive Agencies- refer to any dept. of gov’t that is created by Congress that is outside the Cabinet. President appoints and can remove head. (EPA, NASA)Regulatory Commissions- charged with controlling nation’s business activities and economy. Has punishment powers (FCC, FTC) Set terms, independent of Cabinet.Corporations- conduct business-like activities for gov’t because it wouldn’t be profitable for private industry (Post Office, TVA, Amtrak, FDIC) Appointments vary.

Duties of the Bureaucracy

Implement policy & enforce laws Ex: EPA carries out Clean Air Act

Regulate specific, defined areas Ex: FAA inspects airlines for safety

Provide Information Ex: USDA developed food pyramid

Data collection Ex: Census Bureau collects demographics

Write rules, SOPs & regulations Ex: FCC’s 7 word rule for public airwaves

Limited Growth of Bureaucracy to 1900

First major growth came with increasing population…What agency? Why?Second wave of growth came after Civil War…What agency? Why?Third wave came over the issue of industrialization…What agency? Why?Still the bureaucracy was small: Laissez-faire, States controlled most

regulation, fear of discretionary authority, & SC said “no to regulatory purposes.”

Growth of BureaucracyGrown exponentially since the New

Deal…Why? (Depression, Wars, 9/11)

1. Society more complex2. Business regulation3. Attitude towards social welfare4. Attitude towards national security5. Times change- new functions and

responsibilities