Executive Branch – Bureaucracies Chapter 15

What is a Bureaucracy?  Contains 3 features:  Hierarchical Authority  Pyramid structure  Chain of command – running from top to bottom  Job Specialization –  Bureaucrat – has certain duties and responsibilities  Formalized Rules  Set of established regulations and procedures.

The Bureaucracy  The President is the chief administrator of the federal government  Congress and the President created an administration – the government’s administrators and agencies.

Divisions  Divided into 4 groups: 1. EOP (Executive Office of the President) 2. Cabinet 3. Independent agencies 4. Government corporations

1. Executive Office of the President (EOP)  An umbrella agency of separate agencies.  serves as the President’s right arm, staffed by most of the President’s closest advisors and assistants.  Established in 1939, but reorganized with every President.  Ex: White House Office  Ex: Office of Management and Budget  Ex: National Security Council  Ex: Office of the Vice President

White House Office   “Nerve Center” of the EOP, houses key personal and political staff   West Wing (where most work)   Oval Office, Cabinet Room   includes press secretary, legal advisors, and physician   East Wing   Presidential residence, 1 st lady offices, theater, visitor’s entrance   Chief of Staff – “The Gatekeeper”   Highest ranking employee of the EOP   typically oversees the actions of the White House staff, manages the president's schedule, and decides who is allowed to meet with the president   Press Secretary- Chief spokesperson for the President

Additional Agencies Office of Management and Budget (OMB) The OMB’s major task is the preparation of the federal budget, which the President must submit to Congress.The OMB’s major task is the preparation of the federal budget, which the President must submit to Congress. Council of Economic Advisers The Council of Economic Advisers consists of three of the country’s leading economists, and acts as the President’s major source of information and advice on the nation’s economy.The Council of Economic Advisers consists of three of the country’s leading economists, and acts as the President’s major source of information and advice on the nation’s economy.

2. The Cabinet  The Cabinet is an informal advisory body brought together by the President to serve his needs.  15 Cabinet Members  Each one headed by a Secretary except Attorney General  The President appoints them, but are then subject to Senate approval.  The title of Department is reserved for agencies within the Cabinet.  How he chooses – party, professional qualifications, interest groups, gender, race, experience, etc.

Cabinet Positions  Department of State  Department of Treasury  Department of Defense  Department of Education  Department of Justice  Department of the Interior  Department of Agriculture  Department of Homeland Security  Department of Commerce  Department of Labor  Department of Health and Human Resources  Department of Housing and Urban Development  Department of Transportation  Department of Energy  Department of Veteran’s Affairs

3. Independent Agencies   independent executive agencies— similar to departments but without cabinet status  Ex: CIA, FBI, IRS, SEC, etc.

4. Government Corporations   Set up by Congress to carry out business like activities   Generally charge for services   Ex: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC), Postal Service, AMTRAK, TVA, etc.

Govt. vs. Private   Similarities   Run by a board of directors   General manager   Produce income that circulates back into business   Differences   Congress decides function ability   President selects top officials   Financed by public funds, not private investors

Development of the Civil Service The civil service is that group of public employees who perform the administrative work of government, excluding the armed forces.  Spoils System (patronage) practice of giving government jobs to supporters and friends.  The Pendleton Act laid the foundation of the present federal civil service system, and set merit as the basis for hiring in most civil service positions.

The Civil Service Today  The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for recruiting, examining, and the hiring process.  Congress sets the pay and other job conditions for everyone who works for the Federal Government, except for postal employees.