Chapter 9: The Federal Bureaucracy
Functions Rule Application Rule Interpretation Rule Initiation
Functions (cont) Interest Representation/Advocacy Systems Maintenance/Support Conflict Resolution
The Role & Legitimacy of Bureaucracy Core initiative? Too big Pushing Agenda Role of Regulation Not popular
Role of Regulation Too much of a hindrance Party Lines Protection—environment, workplace, etc. Dispute about the role of government
Civil Servants Top officials often appointed + 3 million Rank & File +2 million military +15 million state & local government
Structural Organization 15 Departments (p. 225) Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health & Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing & Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs
Department Organization Headed by Secretary Secretary part of President’s cabinet Appointed by President Approved by Senate
Department Organization Undersecretary or Deputy Secretary Second in charge to Secretary Main purpose---administrative workload
Department Organization Assistant Secretaries In Charge of specific programs Report to the Undersecretary Have staff assistants
Department Organizations Departments are divided into bureaus Organized by function, services, clients or geography Run by Director
Department Organization Below Bureaus Branches, Services & Sections--- Supervisors head and report to directors Triangle effect
Independent Agencies Not cabinet level but do report to the President Examples: NASA, CIA, EPA
Government Corporations Administer economic enterprises Part Government Part Business Financed by Congress & customers Examples: Amtrak, TVA, FDIC, PBS
Independent & Regulatory Commissions Exist because the need for rulemaking is highly complex & technical Examples: FTC, FCC, SEC, FEC, FRB
Regulatory Agencies (cont) Quasi-legislative Quasi-judicial Hold hearings Make rules Resolve disputes Independent President cannot unilaterally remove leaders
Civil Servants + 3 million Rank & File +2 million military +15 million state & local government
Appointive Positions appointed by White House Loyalty Number of appointments has increased Tenure of those appointed has decreased
Appointees Patronage Political Favoritism Spoils System Merit Pendleton Act of 1883
Career Civil Service Office of Personnel Management Bipartisan Merit Systems Protection Board 18 level General Schedule (GS) salary structure Service ratings Hatch Act of 1939 limits political activities of civil service