Two types of government workers – Bureaucracy Two types of government workers – CAREER CIVIL SERVANTS POLITICAL APPOINTEES

Classic definition of bureaucracy MAX WEBER- 1. fixed jurisdictional areas 2. Hierarchy of authority 3. Written documents and general rules 4. Expertise

Classic definition of bureaucracy MAX WEBER- 1. fixed jurisdictional areas 2. Hierarchy of authority 3. Written documents and general rules 4. Expertise

Main problems with bureaucracies Accountability – not elected Expansionary tendencies Bureaucratic discretion One issue: Americans want bureaucracy to achieve sometimes conflicting goals: Accountability, equity, responsiveness, efficiency, fiscal integrity

Defense of bureaucrats “Red tape” – meaning words, procedures, obstacles to getting things done. But this serves a purpose… Bur. Procedures so cumbersome because Americans value fairness and due process of law – Administrative Procedures Act 1946 requires bureaucracies to make all regulations public, must hold hearings before setting new rules, must allow interested/affected parties to participate in the rule making process, must permit appeal of agency actions.

Who controls bureaucrats? Who do they respond to? * Interest group “capture” (CAB) Congressional dominance theory (Congress has power over budget, oversight hearings) Presidents (appoint heads of bureaucracies) * Courts, public opinion

Reforming the bureaucracy Deregulation Privatization