CHAPTER 11 BUREAUCRACY

What is a Bureaucracy? Non-elected government officials who perform the day to day functions of government. Technically falls under the Executive Branch Sometimes referred to as the “Fourth Branch” of government

Max Weber Standards for ideal bureaucracy Hierarchical authority structure Task Specialization Extensive Rules Clear Goals Merit Principle Impersonality

American Federal Bureaucracy Divided Supervision Congress Creates and eliminates bureaucratic departments President/Executive Hires and fires personnel State and Local Implements many functions Personnel often work across the country, not just in D.C. WE REGULATE, WE DON’T OWN!

Growth of the Federal Bureaucracy Patronage Pendleton Act

Modern Bureaucracy Office of Personnel Management GS Rating Senior Executive Service Merit Systems Protection Board Historical Growth

The Cabinet 15 Departments Advise the president on domestic and foreign policy

Independent Regulatory Agencies Interstate Commerce Commission Federal Trade Commission The National Labor Relations Board

Independent Regulatory Agencies Cont’d Federal Reserve Board Securities and Exchange Commission

Government Corporations Tennessee Valley Authority U.S. Postal Service Amtrak Corporation for Public Broadcasting PBS, NPR

Independent Executive Agencies General Services Administration National Science Foundation National Aeronautics and Space Administration

What do Bureaucrats Do? Discretionary Authority Implementation Regulation

Accountability Congress Duplication Authorization Hearings Re-writing legislation President Appointments Executive Orders Economic Powers Re-organization

Bureaucracy and Interest Groups Iron Triangles Issue Networks

Reforming the Bureaucracy Merit System Hatch Act:

Criticisms Red Tape Conflict Duplication Unchecked growth Waste Lack of accountability

Suggestions for Reform Limiting Appointments Making firing easier Rotating professionals Rewarding employee initiatives Fewer rules Emphasizing customer satisfaction