Introduction to the Federal Bureaucracy Chapter 15, Theme A

Agency Review 1. EPA 2. OSHA 3. FDA 4. FCC 5. DEA 6. FTC A. Workplace accidents B. Over-the-counter cold remedies C. False advertising claims D. Fuel spills in open water E. Offensive content on TV F. Marijuana growing operations

Why study the bureaucracy as a separate institution? The Bureaucracy does the day-to-day work of the federal government No agency specifically mentioned in Constitution Congress given the power to create & define President appoints leaders to oversee w/ Senate adv. Carry out laws made by Congress. These are often vague, so bureaucrats have a great deal of discretionary authority. To understand the bureaucracy is to understand how the government operates & decisions are made.

Defining the term A bureaucracy is any large organization that has: Internal division of labor and specialization by function Employees recruited & promoted based on relevant expertise & merit Clear hierarchy (lines of authority) Established rules & SOPs Emphasis on establishing goals efficiently & effectively Examples include corporation, school systems & governments

The American Bureaucracy Is a slave to all three branches Congress makes laws, creates agencies, and has legislative oversight powers President appoints heads of agencies (can remove in many cases thanks to Madison) & recommends budget for government Supreme Court interprets laws and mediate disputes in implementation of laws by the bureaucracy

Federalism causes overlap and similar bureaucratic agencies at the state and local level to exist: US IRS NC Dept. of Revenue Currituck Co. Tax Department Public perception is negative. Wasteful Oppressive Slow The American Bureaucracy

The adversary culture has led to a scrutiny of every action of the bureaucracy. Decisions are challenged in the courts The media publicizes abuses as common Privatization is American way but citizens demand regulation & oversight. The American Bureaucracy

Government by proxy has become the norm in the US. Pros: Flexibility, embodiment of federalism Cons: Wasteful, inefficient Each branches is a bureaucracy unto themselves outside of the bureaucratic institution. The American Bureaucracy

Homeland Security

Types of Departments and Agencies Federal Bureaucracy as an institution is composed of 5 components:  Executive Departments- Cabinet departments (15 of them) Secretaries work for the President & his agenda.  Independent Agencies- all heads are nominated by President, approved by Senate, but cannot be fired by President due to fixed terms. (CIA, FBI)

Types of Departments and Agencies Executive Agencies- refer to any dept. of gov’t that is created by Congress that is outside the Cabinet. President appoints and can remove head. (EPA, NASA) Regulatory Commissions- charged with controlling nation’s business activities and economy. Has punishment powers (FCC, FTC) Set terms, independent of Cabinet. Corporations- conduct business-like activities for gov’t because it wouldn’t be profitable for private industry (Post Office, TVA, Amtrak, FDIC) Appointments vary.

Duties of the Bureaucracy Implement policy & enforce laws Ex: EPA carries out Clean Air Act Regulate specific, defined areas Ex: FAA inspects airlines for safety Provide Information Ex: USDA developed food pyramid Data collection Ex: Census Bureau collects demographics Write rules, SOPs & regulations Ex: FCC’s 7 word rule for public airwaves

Limited Growth of Bureaucracy to 1900 First major growth came with increasing population…What agency? Why? Second wave of growth came after Civil War…What agency? Why? Third wave came over the issue of industrialization…What agency? Why? Still the bureaucracy was small: Laissez-faire, States controlled most regulation, fear of discretionary authority, & SC said “no to regulatory purposes.”

Growth of Bureaucracy Grown exponentially since the New Deal…Why? (Depression, Wars, 9/11) 1. Society more complex 2. Business regulation 3. Attitude towards social welfare 4. Attitude towards national security 5. Times change- new functions and responsibilities