Chapter 15: The Federal Bureaucracy

Federal Bureaucracy Basics The president & Congress have authority over the bureaucracy.

Federal Bureaucracy Basics Government by Proxy This is the theory in which the federal bureaucracy operates under. The government pays others to do the work; these “others” include: State governments Local governments Business firms Nonprofit organizations

The Growth of Bureaucracy The Constitution Departments and bureaus were not mentioned in the Constitution. Washington establishes the precedent. People removable only by the president ran all cabinet departments.

The Growth of Bureaucracy The Appointment of Officials During the patronage period, Congress controlled appointments through patronage. The Civil War It was a watershed. It led to the creation of more offices and officials.

The Growth of Bureaucracy The Role of Bureaucracy Prior to WW II, the government’s role in the economy was laissez-faire. Adam Smith, Father of Economics

The Growth of Bureaucracy The Role of Bureaucracy Regulatory agencies could not make rules on its own; the Supreme Court ruled that only Congress could make changes. The Depression and WW II caused the Supreme Court to reverse its previous decisions on regulatory agencies.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Discretionary Authority is the ability to choose course of action and to make policies not spelled out in advance by the law.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Delegated Powers Paying subsidies Transferring money from the federal government to state and local. Devising and enforcing regulations.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention Competitive Service This is how federal employees are chosen. They must either pass an examination or meet certain pre-established criteria.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention Presidential Appointments Authorized by statute “Schedule C” pertains to jobs with “confidential” status Non-career executive assignments (NEAs) are high-level positions that advocate presidential policymaking.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention Pendleton Act changed the system from a patronage one to that of the merit system.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention The Buddy System It practices a “name-request” job, in which the agency already as an applicant in mind and wants to avoid a search. A Congressman who wants to reward political supporters commonly uses this.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention Agency Types Activists Traditional

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention Problems with the System Congress rarely gives any job to a single agency. The Iron Triangle This is when there is a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group. This is also commonly referred to as client politics.

Federal Bureaucracy Today Recruitment and Retention Problems with the System Issue Network This has replaced the iron triangle. It is a mixture of interest groups, congressional staffs, university/think tanks, and the mass media.

Congressional Oversight Basics Authorization legislation is legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency. Appropriation is a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.

Congressional Oversight Committees Trust funds operate outside the regular government budget and the appropriations committees have no control over these expenditures. Committee clearance occurs when a congressional committee gains the right to make decisions for certain agencies.

Congressional Oversight The Legislative Veto The legislative veto occurs when Congress blocks a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court struck down this power in The Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha (1983). Jadish Rai Chadha and family [NY  Times photo]

Bureaucratic “Pathologies” Red tape is the complex rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.

Bureaucratic “Pathologies” Other Problems Conflict: This occurs when some agencies are working at cross-purposes. Duplication: This occurs when agencies are doing the same thing.

Bureaucratic “Pathologies” Other Problems Imperialism: This is when an agency grows but no benefits are gained. Waste: This occurs when the agency spends more money than is necessary. GSA = General Servic Administration