The Bureaucracy The 4th Branch

The Federal Bureaucracy

Definition of the Federal Bureaucracy A clear hierarchy - Bureaucracies have a firm chain of command. Every worker has his or her own place in the chain, and everyone's work is overseen by someone on the next level up. Power flows down from the top of the hierarchy and diminishes as it approaches the bottom. Specialization - Everyone in a bureaucracy has a specific job to do and often becomes an expert at it. Bees have specific jobs, too, collecting pollen, making honey, or populating the hive. A division of labor - In a bureaucracy, nearly every task is broken down into its component parts, and different people work on different parts of the task. Together they get the job done, just like bees in a hive who divide their labor for maximum efficiency. A set of formal rules - These so-called standard operating procedures are the clear, written instructions for each specialized job at every level of the hierarchy. Workers who follow them can be sure that they are on the same page as their colleagues and are doing their jobs properly.

Functions of the Bureaucracy 1. The bureaucracy implements the laws and policies made by elected officials. These laws and policies need to be put into practice in specific situations and applied in all the contingencies of daily life. 2. The bureaucracy provides necessary administrative functions, like conducting examinations, issuing permits and licenses, and collecting fees. 3. The bureaucracy regulates various government activities. In other words, it creates the rules and regulations that clarify how various laws work on a daily basis. The Bureaucracy has discretionary authority.

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