The Modern Bureaucracy How is the national government different than private business? How is the bureaucracy organized? What are important laws that have led to expansion or contraction of the bureaucracy?

Government vs Business Government exists for public good; businesses want profit Government funding by taxes; businesses from customers Government bureaucracy: who are they responsible to? –Incentive in “not making mistakes” –No real incentive/risks for employees –Cannot be run entirely like a business

Who are bureaucrats? 2.7 million federal workers in executive branch (1/3 in USPS) –Average: 47, 17 years of service –Diversity in jobs, but more white men –Decentralized bureaucracy for accessibility Low pay, private opportunities Scandal, danger (contractors) Most are in GS pay; others selected by civil service exams/merit/applications 10% not in civil service

Formal organization Cabinet departments –15 departments—major admin units with specific focus –Permanent national interest in particular function Government corporations (1930s-pres.)— businesses established by Congress that could be performed by private business Independent executive agencies—like Cabinet departments, with smaller responsibilities (CIA) Independent regulatory commissions

Workers and political involvement Political Activities Act (1939)/Hatch Act: design to stop federal employees from becoming directly involved in working for political candidates Federal Employees Activity Act (1993): liberalization of Hatch Act; allows employees to run for office in nonpartisan elections, contribute money to partisan elections (NOT ON DUTY)