The Bureaucracy: Growth, Influences, and Control

From Spoils to Civil Service Prior to 19 th c. the spoils system was used for filling fed. jobs Prior to 19 th c. the spoils system was used for filling fed. jobs “ To the victor goes the spoils! ” “ To the victor goes the spoils! ” Presidential supporters hired Presidential supporters hired

From Spoils to Civil Service Assassination of Garfield Assassination of Garfield Led to Pendleton Act (1883) Led to Pendleton Act (1883)

From Spoils to Civil Service What did the Pendleton Act do? What did the Pendleton Act do? Created an exam-based merit system to fill govt. jobs Created an exam-based merit system to fill govt. jobs Today- 90% federal workers are civil service workers Today- 90% federal workers are civil service workers Under 10% appointment by Prez. Under 10% appointment by Prez. Size: over 3 million federal workers Size: over 3 million federal workers

What have happened to the numbers? Fairly constant since ,000 jobs actually cut under Clinton! (note this stops at Numbers slightly rise after 9/11)

However… A great deal of federal money has been transferred to state and local govts. To administer Federal programs!

What are some of the powers of the Bureaucracy? Discretionary authority: Discretionary authority: Agencies interpret courses of action based on congressional drafts. Agencies interpret courses of action based on congressional drafts. Passing of rules and regulations (ex: IRS tax code regulations) Passing of rules and regulations (ex: IRS tax code regulations) Helping Congress w/legislation Helping Congress w/legislation Advice to WH Advice to WH Settling disputes Settling disputes

Discussion: Why do you think the Bureaucracy has grown so? Reasons: National growth National growth Technology management (ex: ICC, FAA, FCC) Technology management (ex: ICC, FAA, FCC) Citizens demands! Citizens demands! The will to survive (difficult for Congress to kill) The will to survive (difficult for Congress to kill) 9/11 9/11 Dept. of Housing and Urban Development

Influences on Bureaucratic Behavior Recruitment and retention policies: 90% merit exam, but… 90% merit exam, but… Circumvention occurs (charges of “ buddy system ” or “ good ol ’ boys ” ) Circumvention occurs (charges of “ buddy system ” or “ good ol ’ boys ” ) Bonus points for veterans & minorities Bonus points for veterans & minorities Hard to fire (recent: only.014%!) Hard to fire (recent: only.014%!)

Effects of these policies Many bureaucrats have a “ loyal ” or agency point of view Many bureaucrats have a “ loyal ” or agency point of view (putting their agencies interests above all others) (putting their agencies interests above all others) Personal attributes of bureaucrats: Lower and mid-level do represent society Lower and mid-level do represent society Upper-level do not: w/m/mid-aged Upper-level do not: w/m/mid-aged

Personal attributes and constraints Tend to be liberal, but depends on agency Tend to be liberal, but depends on agency Only 10% live in DC Only 10% live in DC 30% in defense! 30% in defense! Freedom of Info. Act Freedom of Info. Act Hatch Act: limits political activities Hatch Act: limits political activities Affirmative Action hiring Affirmative Action hiring Size and “ red tape ” difficulty Size and “ red tape ” difficulty Lack of monetary incentives inhibit Lack of monetary incentives inhibit

What are some ways the Bureau. can be controlled by the Prez? Powers: Hires & fires of the top-level Hires & fires of the top-level May propose reorganization (ex: FDR) May propose reorganization (ex: FDR) Proposes agency budgets Proposes agency budgets Appointment of Sr. Executive Service Appointment of Sr. Executive Service Checks on Prez: Senate confirmation Senate confirmation Can ’ t fire most Can ’ t fire most Reorg. & budgets require approval Reorg. & budgets require approval Don ’ t toot your horn just yet!

Clinton and Gore: REGO (Reinventing Government 1993) “ The Federal government seems unable to abandon the obsolete…It knows how to add, but not to subtract. ” -Al Gore Class Reading: REGO

How can Congress control the Bureaucracy? Appropriations of budgets Appropriations of budgets Standing Committee oversight, investigations, and hearings Standing Committee oversight, investigations, and hearings GAO GAO Appointment confirm. Appointment confirm. Sunset laws (limits some agencies ’ life) Sunset laws (limits some agencies ’ life)

Are there any other influences on the Bureaucracy? Interest Groups: Lobbying Lobbying “ revolving door ” “ revolving door ” Clientele groups: special IGs that benefit from a particular agency & therefore advocate Clientele groups: special IGs that benefit from a particular agency & therefore advocate Sub governments: Sub governments: Iron triangles/issue networks (common interests) Iron triangles/issue networks (common interests)

Final influences! Media: Scrutinize behavior Scrutinize behavior Whistle-blowers Whistle-blowers Ex: FBI memo discussing ineptness of security pre-9/11 Ex: FBI memo discussing ineptness of security pre-9/11 Courts: Injunctions & writ of mandamus. Privatization: -> efficiency