Government at Work: The Bureaucracy Chapter 15 Sections 1 & 2

What is a Bureaucracy? Bureaucracy = Large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization. (Waste, Red Tape, Delay?) Way to organize people ( bureaucrats  peeps who work for the organization ) to do their work.

Three Features of a Bureaucracy & BENEFITS 1.Hierarchical Authority Structure as a pyramid; Chain of command from top to bottom. SPEEDS ACTION BY REDUCING CONFLICT 2.Job Specialization Each bureaucrat has a defined duty and responsibility; Precise division of labor. PROMOTES EFFICIENCY. 3.Formalized Rules Bureaucracy does work according to established regulations and procedures; known by all involved in the work. WORKERS ACT WITH SPEED b/c DECISIONS ARE MADE BASED ON STANDARDS, not opinions. BUREAUCRATS ARE UNELECTED MAKERS AND IMPLEMENTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY.

Federal Bureaucracy FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY IS ALL OF THE AGENCIES, PEOPLE, and PROCEDURES THROUGH WHICH THE FEDERAL GOV’T OPERATES. Nearly all of it is located in the Executive Branch. Executive Branch is composed of three broad groups of agencies: 1.The Executive Office of the President 2.The 15 Cabinet Departments 3.A Large Number of Independent Agencies

Executive Office of the President Executive Office of the President (EOP) An umbrella agency of several separate agencies staffed by the President’s key advisors and assistants. The White House EOP’s nerve center; Holds offices of most of the President’s staff (West Wing)

Executive Office of the President (con’t) National Security Council Advises the President on matters of domestic, foreign and military matters that relate to national security. Office of Management and Budget Prepares the federal budget, which the President submits to Congress every year. Federal Budget  Detailed estimate of receipts and expenses during the next fiscal year. Other EOP Agencies Office of National Drug Control Policy; Council of Economic Advisors; Domestic Policy Council; Council on Environmental Quality; Office of the Vice President; Office of the US Trade Representatives; Office of Science and Technology; Office of Administration