Chapter 9: The Federal Bureaucracy

Functions Rule Application Rule Interpretation Rule Initiation

Functions (cont) Interest Representation/Advocacy Systems Maintenance/Support Conflict Resolution

The Role & Legitimacy of Bureaucracy Core initiative? Too big Pushing Agenda Role of Regulation Not popular

Role of Regulation Too much of a hindrance Party Lines Protection—environment, workplace, etc. Dispute about the role of government

Civil Servants Top officials often appointed + 3 million Rank & File +2 million military +15 million state & local government

Structural Organization 15 Departments (p. 225) Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health & Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing & Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs

Department Organization Headed by Secretary Secretary part of President’s cabinet Appointed by President Approved by Senate

Department Organization Undersecretary or Deputy Secretary Second in charge to Secretary Main purpose---administrative workload

Department Organization Assistant Secretaries In Charge of specific programs Report to the Undersecretary Have staff assistants

Department Organizations Departments are divided into bureaus Organized by function, services, clients or geography Run by Director

Department Organization Below Bureaus Branches, Services & Sections---Supervisors head and report to directors Triangle effect

Independent Agencies Not cabinet level but do report to the President Examples: NASA, CIA, EPA

Government Corporations Administer economic enterprises Part Government Part Business Financed by Congress & customers Examples: Amtrak,FDIC, PBS

Independent & Regulatory Commissions Exist because the need for rulemaking is highly complex & technical Examples: FTC, FCC, SEC, FEC, FRB

Regulatory Agencies (cont) Quasi-legislative Quasi-judicial Hold hearings Make rules Resolve disputes Independent President cannot unilaterally remove leaders

Civil Servants + 3 million Rank & File +2 million military +15 million state & local government

Appointive Positions +2500 appointed by White House Loyalty Number of appointments has increased Tenure of those appointed has decreased

Appointees Patronage Political Favoritism Spoils System Merit Pendleton Act of 1883

Career Civil Service Office of Personnel Management Bipartisan Merit Systems Protection Board 18 level General Schedule (GS) salary structure Service ratings Hatch Act of 1939 limits political activities of civil service