The Federal Bureaucracy

Chapter 15

What is a bureaucracy?

• The people who handle the day to day business for any organization.•We will focus on the federal

bureaucracy

3 Features of a Bureaucracy

**In order to be a bureaucracy you must meet the following standards***1. Hierarchical authority –a chain of command 2. Job specialization – each person (a

bureaucrat) has specific duties and responsibilities.

3. Formalized rules – the bureaucracy follows specific rules

The Federal Bureaucracy• The federal bureaucracy is EVERYONE that

makes up the Federal Executive (Gov’t)• The President heads the federal bureaucracy.• In addition to the President the federal

bureaucracy is divided into 3 groups• 1.Executive Office of the President (EOP)– 2. The 15 Executive departments– 3. Other independent agencies

1. Executive Office of the President

• Examples include -Office of management and budget, National Security Council, Economic advisors and more!

• White House Office (WHO)• Contains the President’s most important staff• Work in West Wing of White House• Examples Chief of Staff, press secretary, the

President’s doctor, and legal advisors

2. Executive Departments

• 15 Departments Total• The Heads (boss/leaders) of

the 15 Departments are called THE CABINET• They advise the President on

specific issues

The Executive Departments1. Department of State – concerned with

foreign policy2. Department of Treasury – manages the

money of the United States –3. Department of Defense – handle issues

relating to the military4. Department of Justice – Gives legal

advice to the president - enforces law and administers justice

The Executive Departments5. Department of the Interior – manages

federally owned land (national parks like Yosemite National Park, or the Redwood Forest)

6. Department of Agriculture – helps farmers and protects food supply

7. Department of Commerce – monitors trade; promotes economic growth of the United States; Conducts the Census; Grants Patents

The Executive Departments8. Department of Labor – responsible for

wages, unemployment, and job safety rules

9. Department of Health & Human Services – protects the health and general welfare of the American people (Medicare; food and drug safety)

The Executive Departments10. Department of Housing and Urban

Development – handles issues of housing and development of cities – financing programs

11. Department of Transportation – manages the interstate system, air travel, oil lines

12. Department of Energy – handles policy on energy and nuclear safety

The Executive Departments13. Department of Education – handles the

policy on the education of American students- provides federal aid

14. Department of Veterans Affairs – manages programs for veterans and the families

15. Department of Homeland Security – protects the United States from threats from terrorists and other sources at our borders

3. Independent Agencies• Independent agency: additional

agencies created by Congress that are outside of the Cabinet• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)• Peace Corps• Social Security Administration• Federal Reserve System

Civil Service• Civil service – made up of civilian workers who

perform the administrative work of the government

• Originally operated under the spoils system– giving jobs to political supporters and friends

• The Pendleton Act – helped to get rid of the spoils system. Based hiring of civil service workers on merit (or the quality of their work)– Still the basis of hiring today.