Chapter 9 The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy  To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato  Pearson Education, 2009

What is Bureaucracy? The word bureau-cracy literally means “to rule from a desk”. The idea is that government workers, who often work at desks, are essentially “ruling us”…

Think-Pair-Share What is the bureaucracy? Explain why Congress created the bureaucracy in 1789

The Roots of Bureaucracy Foreign Affairs, War, & Treasury are first departments. Growth in early 1800s with Post Office. Andrew Jackson greatly expanded appointments He introduced Patronage and the spoils system Payback to political supporters is now the norm Civil War spawns another expansion (DoA). New agencies were needed during and after the war

The Roots of Bureaucracy Assassination of President Garfield meant changes Assassin was expecting a presidential appointment Pendleton Act is beginning of civil service system. Also known as merit system, based on qualifications Creation of independent regulatory commissions after problems with railroad expansion Appointed by president, but not subject to his will

Think-Pair-Share Explain the difference between the spoils system and the merit system

Twentieth-Century Bureaucracy Growing number of cabinet departments. Labor and Commerce were split Need for a larger government to support wars. Expansion after income tax enacted New Deal and Great Society were major expansions Government is used to handle additional growth and changes in economy and society

AV- Growth of Government Employees  Pg 312 Back

Round Robin Explain why the bureaucracy expanded during World War II

Who are Bureaucrats? More than 2.7 million employees. Most are selected based on merit. These continue despite party in power Also have high-level political appointees. Mostly at the top management (GS) level Wide variety of skills are represented: forest rangers, FBI Agents, computer programmers, security guards, librarians, postal carriers, engineers, lawyers, etc.

Figure 9.1- Civilian Employment  Pg 314 Back

Who are Bureaucrats? Less diverse than America. 56% male in 2004, 68.6% white More low level jobs held by females, higher level by males Scattered throughout D.C. and regional offices. Growth of outside contractors in recent years. Pay in private sector is higher than public sector.

Round Robin Describe the demographics of the bureaucracy Why do you think the demographics are the way that they are?

Figure 9.2- Employee Characteristics  Pg 315 Back

Figure 9.3- Agency Regions  Pg 316 Back

Formal Organization Cabinet departments handle broad, lasting issues. Headed by secretaries. Government corporations act like businesses. Amtrack and FDIC Independent executive agencies handle services. Narrower than Cabinet department, independent. Independent regulatory commissions watch industry. Designed to be free from partisan pressure. CIA & Environmental Protection Agency

Rally Robin Summarize the jobs of each of the following organizations within the bureaucracy The Cabinet Government Corporations Executive Agencies Independent Regulatory Commissions

Figure 9.4- The Executive Branch  Pg 317 Back

Government Workers and Politics Hatch Act sets first boundaries. People wanted to make sure public employees did not assist in election activities Federal Employees Political Act is current standard. Liberalized many provisions in Hatch Act. Employees may now run for non-partisan offices, contribute, and campaign on own time.

Table 9.1- FEPA  Pg 321 Back

Rally Coach Under the Federal Employees Political Activities Act, identify 6 examples of activities federal employees MAY NOT engage in

Characteristics of Bureaucracy Bureaucracies have these features: Chain of command from top to bottom. Division of labor. Clear lines of authority. Goal orientation. Merit system. Productivity.

How the Bureaucracy Works Congress creates agencies. Main job is implementation of laws. Policy made in iron triangles or issue networks. Involve Agencies, Interest Groups and Congress Increasing use of interagency councils.

Round Robin Explain iron triangles Give an example of an iron triangle

Figure 9.5- An Iron Triangle  Pg 322 Back

An Iron Triangle Example  Back

An Iron Triangle Example  Back

Making Policy Discretionary authority allows a lot of latitude. Rule-making is a quasi-legislative process. Formal procedure for making regulations. Administrative adjudication is quasi-judicial process. Used to settle disputes between two parties.

Figure 9.6- Rulemaking  Pg 324 Back

Think-Pair-Share Explain administrative discretion in regards to Rulemaking

Agency Accountability Unclear who agencies should be accountable to. All 3 Branches of government have oversight: Presidents try to make the right appointments. Can also shape policy through executive orders. Congress can use oversight powers and funding. Police patrol v. fire alarm oversight. Judiciary can review regulations.

Table 9.2- Agency Accountability  Pg 326 Back

Round Table Identify 3 ways in which the president can hold bureaucratic agencies accountable

Round Table Identify 3 ways in which Congress can hold bureaucratic agencies accountable

Round Table Identify 3 ways in which the judiciary can hold bureaucratic agencies accountable