Parts of the Executive Branch Executive Office of the President -White House Office -Vice President & his office -closest personal advisers -OMB and NSC Executive Departments -Leaders make the Cabinet -15 actual departments -ex. State, Treasury, Defense Independent Agencies -Executive Agencies -Regulatory Commissions -Government Corporations

Independent Agencies Executive Agencies: groups headed by an Administrator; they do not have Cabinet status & have regional units NASA, GSA, EPA Regulatory Commissions: groups that control part of the economy, these are out of Presidential scope FTC, FCC, CPSC Government Corporations: businesses owned by the government that make money USPS, TVA, FDIC

Both Are: - Run by a board of directors with a general manager who directs the corporation’s operations according to their policies -Produce income that is re-invested in the business Comparing Government & Private Corporations

Growth and Reform of the Civil Service -G. Washington and successors used patronage, appointing people from their party to government jobs. - Andrew Jackson became known as the ‘father’ of the spoils system, giving offices and favors to political supporters and friends. - The spoils system grew over the years Reform of the Civil Service -In 1881, President Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office-seeker. -The Pendleton Act was passed in 1883, basing the civil service on MERIT, not party loyalty. -Today the Office of Personnel Management oversees the recruitment of qualified applicants. -The Merit Systems Protection Board enforces the merit principle.