Chapter 15 Government at Work: The Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Bureaucracy - a large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization Bureaucracy - a large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization Bureaucrat – a Bureaucrat – a person who works for the organization

Three features of Bureaucracy Hierarchical authority – built as a pyramid with a chain of command running from the top to the bottom Hierarchical authority – built as a pyramid with a chain of command running from the top to the bottom Job specialization – each bureaucrat has defined duties and responsibilities Job specialization – each bureaucrat has defined duties and responsibilities Formalized rules – works according to an established set of regulations Formalized rules – works according to an established set of regulations

Benefits of a Bureaucracy Hierarchy speeds action by reducing conflicts over who has power to make decisions Hierarchy speeds action by reducing conflicts over who has power to make decisions Job specialization promotes efficiency because each worker has specialized skills and knowledge. Job specialization promotes efficiency because each worker has specialized skills and knowledge. Formalized rules allow workers to act based on a predictable set of known standards. Formalized rules allow workers to act based on a predictable set of known standards.

Undemocratic Bureaucrats are unelected. They hold appointed offices. Bureaucrats are unelected. They hold appointed offices. Therefore, bureaucracies are undemocratic. Therefore, bureaucracies are undemocratic. However, bureaucrats are appointed by elected officials and bureaucracies are needed for a democracy to run smoothly. However, bureaucrats are appointed by elected officials and bureaucracies are needed for a democracy to run smoothly.

The Executive Office of the President Thomas Jefferson had 2 aids (messenger and secretary) that he paid out of his own pocket Thomas Jefferson had 2 aids (messenger and secretary) that he paid out of his own pocket It was not until 1857 that Congress provided money for Presidential staff It was not until 1857 that Congress provided money for Presidential staff Under President Jefferson, the executive branch employed about 2,100 people Under President Jefferson, the executive branch employed about 2,100 people Under President G. W. Bush, the executive branch employed about 2.7 million people Under President G. W. Bush, the executive branch employed about 2.7 million people

Executive Departments Much of the work of the Federal Government is done by 15 executive departments Much of the work of the Federal Government is done by 15 executive departments The executive departments are often called Cabinet departments The executive departments are often called Cabinet departments The first three departments were created by Congress in 1789 – Departments of State, Treasury, and War The first three departments were created by Congress in 1789 – Departments of State, Treasury, and War

Chief Officers and Staff Each department is headed by a secretary except for the Department of Justice which is headed by the attorney general These secretaries are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Secretary of Defense – Chuck Hagel

The Cabinet The cabinet is neither mentioned in the Constitution nor was it created by Congress The cabinet is neither mentioned in the Constitution nor was it created by Congress The cabinet is an informal group of advisors to the President. The cabinet is an informal group of advisors to the President. By tradition, the secretaries of the executive departments form the cabinet. By tradition, the secretaries of the executive departments form the cabinet.

The Role of Cabinet Members Individually, each is the leader of his or her department Individually, each is the leader of his or her department Collectively, they act as advisors to the President Collectively, they act as advisors to the President “The Constitution… contains no suggestion of a meeting of all the department heads, in consultation over general government matters. The Cabinet is a mere creation of the President’s will…It exists only by custom. If the President desired to dispense with it, he could do so. “The Constitution… contains no suggestion of a meeting of all the department heads, in consultation over general government matters. The Cabinet is a mere creation of the President’s will…It exists only by custom. If the President desired to dispense with it, he could do so. -William Howard Taft

Choosing Cabinet Members Rejections of appointments are rare. Since 1789, of more than 600 appointments only 12 have been rejected Rejections of appointments are rare. Since 1789, of more than 600 appointments only 12 have been rejected Presidents tend to pick members of the same party Presidents tend to pick members of the same party Other factors: professional qualifications, practical experience, geography, gender, race Other factors: professional qualifications, practical experience, geography, gender, race

Women and Minorities

Executive Departments Activity 1. Department of State 2. Department of Treasury 3. Department of Defense 4. Department of Justice 5. Department of the Interior 6. Department of Agriculture 7. Department of Commerce 8. Department of Labor Department of Health and Human Services Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Transportation Department of Energy Department of Education Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Homeland Security

Independent Agencies Located outside the departments Located outside the departments Why? Why? Some don’t fit well in any department – Office of Personal Management (hiring agency for national agencies) Some don’t fit well in any department – Office of Personal Management (hiring agency for national agencies) To avoid political pressure – Social Security Administration To avoid political pressure – Social Security Administration Regulatory commissions need to be independent Regulatory commissions need to be independent Can be broken down into three categories. Can be broken down into three categories.

Independent Executive Agencies Organized like the Cabinet departments Examples: NASA, the Civil Rights Commission, the Peace Corps, the Environmental Protection Agency

Independent Regulatory Commissions Created to regulate or police the nation’s economy Created to regulate or police the nation’s economy Each is headed by a board of 5-7 members with staggered terms. Each is headed by a board of 5-7 members with staggered terms. No more than a bare majority may be from the same party. No more than a bare majority may be from the same party. Examples: Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission Examples: Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission

Government Corporations Set up like businesses but are subject to the President’s direction and control Set up like businesses but are subject to the President’s direction and control Examples: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), U.S. Postal Service Examples: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), U.S. Postal Service

The Civil Service About 2.7 million people work for the Federal Government today About 2.7 million people work for the Federal Government today Washington picked mostly people from his party. Jefferson did the same. Washington picked mostly people from his party. Jefferson did the same. Andrew Jackson dismissed over 2,000 federal employees based on party Andrew Jackson dismissed over 2,000 federal employees based on party Spoils system (patronage) – giving offices and other favors of government to political supporters and friends Spoils system (patronage) – giving offices and other favors of government to political supporters and friends

Civil Service Eventually reform changed the spoils system Eventually reform changed the spoils system The Pendleton Act – make merit the basis of hiring, promotion, and other personnel actions in the federal work force. The Pendleton Act – make merit the basis of hiring, promotion, and other personnel actions in the federal work force. These reforms have mostly been successful but no system is perfect. These reforms have mostly been successful but no system is perfect.