Issue Networks

The executive branch (a review) Cabinet Departments Cabinet Departments Other agencies Other agencies Independent regulatory commissions Independent regulatory commissions Mechanisms for democratic control Mechanisms for democratic control

Numbers 15 executive departments 15 executive departments ~2 million civilian employees ~2 million civilian employees ~8000 political appointees ~8000 political appointees

Size in 2009

Budgets in 2008 (in billions)

Iron triangles Closed subovernments Closed subovernments Small circles of participants Small circles of participants Typically Typically –Interest group representative –Staff/member of congressional subcommittee –Agency bureaucrat They (and they alone) make important policy decisions They (and they alone) make important policy decisions

Issue networks Loose, boundary-less webs of policy experts and policy activists Loose, boundary-less webs of policy experts and policy activists –Shared knowledge on very specific policy areas –May or may not work toward shared goals Shared language Shared language Shared approach to analysis and evidence Shared approach to analysis and evidence Why did they develop? Why did they develop?

Why did they develop? Policy is complex Policy is complex New policy is in demand New policy is in demand Officials in the executive have to mobilize policy intermediaries to deliver goods Officials in the executive have to mobilize policy intermediaries to deliver goods

Problems? Democratic legitimacy? Democratic legitimacy? Public disenchantment? Public disenchantment? Presidential leadership? Presidential leadership?

The Revolving door The Revolving door When people move from government to the nonprofit or lobbying sector and back again When people move from government to the nonprofit or lobbying sector and back again

The Obama Cabinet Read the biography, and answer the questions. Read the biography, and answer the questions. Can you identify the person’s issue network credentials? Can you identify the person’s issue network credentials? Can you identify the person’s partisan credentials? Can you identify the person’s partisan credentials? Are issue networks likely to be the strongest link between the executive establishment and Congress? Are issue networks likely to be the strongest link between the executive establishment and Congress?

The way in How did your cabinet officials get their start out of school? How did your cabinet officials get their start out of school? Poilcy activism Poilcy activism Policy expertise Policy expertise

Education Masters degrees in public policy Masters degrees in public policy Masters degrees in public policy Masters degrees in public policy Masters degrees in public administration Masters degrees in public administration Masters degrees in public administration Masters degrees in public administration Law schools Law schools Or: Generalist entry level positions Or: Generalist entry level positions –Congressional staff/legislative staff –Nonprofit work –Staff in government relations