Federal Bureaucracy Bureaucracy

Why is there a federal bureaucracy? intro Why is there a federal bureaucracy?

What is it? Federal Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Basics Federal Bureaucracy A body of non-elected government officials Millions of people doing the administrative work of the govt They perform the main task of policy implementation They are chosen for jobs based on expertise & experience, not politics

Bureaucracy Basics Why? They handle the day to day operations of the United States government They help thee president “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” To carry out policy, the president requires a staff of millions Bureaucracy allows those with expertise to impact policy at the ground level

Bureaucracy Basics What do they do? Implement policy – translate policy into action Administration – carry out routine tasks Regulation – enforce laws for the government They also have judicial and legislative roles.

Bureaucracy Basics Who? There are about 3 million employees of the federal government Much is concentrated in DC<but they are spread all across the country These are mostly regular people doing regular jobs Demographics of bureaucracy reflect the population of America more than any other branch

Characteristics of Bureaucracy Federal Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Characteristics Hierarchal Authority There’s a hierarchal structure that organizes leadership There’s a clear chain of command “Street level bureaucrats” are at the bottom of the pyramid They do the hands on implementation but don’t develop policy much Decision makers in the executive branch in Washington are at the top

Bureaucracy Characteristics Formalized Rules The bureaucracy is designed to treat all people exactly the same Standard operating procedures ensure there’s no special treatment Most implementation is governed by extensive rules that leave street level bureaucrats with no wiggle room

The people working in the bureaucracy were hired for their expertise Characteristics Job Specialization The people working in the bureaucracy were hired for their expertise They are policy specialists as opposed to the other three branches made up of policy generalists Their experience and knowledge make them suited for their agency, but it’s unlikely that they could work in others.

Evaluating Bureaucracy Federal Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Evaluating Least Democratic No one that works in the bureaucracy is elected People are paid based on experience, not performance People rarely lose their jobs because of poor performance (because of standard operating procedure) There are not opportunities for people to hold the bureaucracy accountable

Bureaucracy Evaluating Most Democratic It interacts with people more than any other branch of government The demographics of the bureaucracy match the demographics of the country Women make up 45% of workforce. Minorities make up 35% Only half of federal government employees have a college degree The average salary is $84,000

Bureaucracy Evaluating Myths “People dislike bureaucrats” – mostly they hate the idea, but do like them “Bureaucracy is growing” – federal govt is not growing, but states are “They’re all in DC” – only 1 in 7 employees actually works in DC “They’re inefficient” – they don’t get credit when they work well, problems are emphasized

Civil Service Federal Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Civil Service Civil Service The civilian workforce – non military employees of the US Government There are 2.9 million civil servants Employees are hired based on merit in a competitive hiring process Anyone can become a member of the civil service The people and their jobs are non partisan

Bureaucracy Civil Service Pendleton Civil Service Act Until the Progressive Era most govt workers were hired through patronage Jobs were exchanged for donations and political favors. The Pendleton Act was passed to end the “spoils system” It created the modern civil service people to hire and promote workers based on merit instead of patronage

Bureaucracy Civil Service Hatch Act Prohibits government employees from participating in partisan politics While on duty, they can’t engage in partisan politics in any way They are prevented from running for office Some national security workers are prevented from doing so even off duty

Bureaucracy Civil Service Office of Personnel Management The office in charge of hiring most federal employees They make rules about the hiring process and requirements In most cases, people have to take a test in order to qualify for a job If they pass, their name is given to an agency with an opening Their salary is determined by the General Schedule rating – people with the same experience & qualifications are paid the same

Bigly Ideas Beliefs & Behaviors

Bureaucracy Wrap Up Why bureaucracy exists Characteristics Criticism of Bureaucracy Civil Servants Focus on these things: