The Bureaucracy/Courts 10/10/2011
Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: – identify and explain the role of formal (bureaucratic, judicial) institutions and their effect on policy. – students will have a better understanding of why our national government works and why the American system of government is unique. – students will be able to understand and interpret the United States Constitution and apply it to present policy dilemmas.
Office Hours and Readings Chapter 10 on the Bureaucracy Chapter 11 on the Courts Office Hours – Tuesday 8-12 – Wednesday 8-10:30
THE BUREAUCRACY AS POLICY MAKER
Delegated Legislative Authority This is the power of the Bureaucracy to draft as well as execute, specific policies. Why? Effect
THE BUREAUCRACY AS REGULATOR
What is Regulation? an imposition of restrictions on the activity of market participants. “The Watchdog of Public safety, Is there any lower form of Life Usually the action of a regulatory agency
THE PROBLEM OF MARKET FAILURE
Market Failure: Imperfect Information Government acts to correct deficiencies in the marketplace Imperfect Information
Market Failure: Taking advantage of Workers Why? Examples – Child Labor – Unsafe work Conditions
Damage of Common Property Exploiting shared resources Tragedy of the commons Government must intervene
Market Failure: Monopoly What is it? Horizontal Vertical
HOW THE BUREAUCRACY REGULATES
Requiring Information Reduce information costs Placed on food, prescription drugs, tobacco
The Case of Prescription Drugs Single largest factor in increasing health care costs Direct-to-consumer marketing Must say certain things about/see-our-tv-ad.html about/see-our-tv-ad.html
Licensing and Ownership Control who participates in the marketplace Television- Radio Poor Jesse- addicted to caffeineJesse
Rule-Making and Adjudication Very inexpensive to do Money through fines Federal Law Enforcement
Incentives and Sanctions Incentives These try to encourage behavior Money, tax breaks Electric CarsCars Heavy Duty VehiclesVehicles Sanctions These Try to Discourage Behavior Fines and taxes Gas GuzzlersGuzzlers
Problems with Regulation Higher Prices Foreign Competition
Deregulation Reducing regulations on business Attempts to lower costs to consumers and business Can lead to re- regulation
THE SUPREME COURT Article III
The Courts in the Constitution Article III Section I – One supreme court – Ability to Create others – Tenure of office Article III Section 3- treason
Article III Section 2 ambassadors and other ministers, counsels, and admiraltyadmiralty controversies between two or more states states between citizens vs foreign citizens or states.foreignstates
THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Federal District Courts The Main Trial Courts of the SystemTrial Federal Crimes are Tried here Federal Crimes The Federal Court DowntownDowntown
Court of Appeals can only hear appeals lacks original jurisdiction Our court is in New OrleansOrleans
The Supreme Court Chief Justice 8 Associate Justices
Jurisdiction Original Appellate
HOW YOU GET ON THE COURT
Role of the President A very great power Judges must be confirmed by the senate Who are our judges
How Presidents Decide try to appoint people like themselves (90% of all Justices come from the President's party) Other Factors the courts need to work with the president to ensure its actions are followed.