Government Corporations Who owns AMTRAK and the Postal Service? The Government. But why? – Public services Mail (USPS) Transportation (AMTRAK) Mortgages/Loans (Fannie/Freddie) – To give the government extra revenue

Government Corporations

Regulatory Commissions These agencies are designed to make sure laws are being enforced and to protect the public – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulates TV, radio, telephone, internet – Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulates the stock market – Federal Reserve (FED) Sets interest rates for banks

The FCC monitors events like the Super Bowl

Other Agencies in the Exec. Branch Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) NASA National Science Foundation Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Farm Credit Administration Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Bureaucracy Refers to the complex structure of the government (agencies, etc.) Bureaucracy is basically network of agencies that make up exec. branch Word is sometimes used pejoratively Red tape = used to describe the inefficiency caused by a large bureaucracy – Days to get a single memo through entire department – Department of Motor Vehicles

Pros/Cons of Bureaucracy PROS CONS 1.) Specialized 1.) Red tape 2.) Treats everyone fairly 2.) can be 3.) Provides services slow/inefficient 3.) Necessary to run 3.) Some critics our government argue bureaucracy is too large

Diagram of Homeland Security Dept.

How do you work for the Bureaucracy? Employment in bureaucracy was once based on the spoils system – Receiving jobs for being in a political party or knowing somebody – This led to corruption and inefficiency

Civil Service System Pendleton Act 1883 – – Created Civil Service Commission – You can only get a govt. job by passing a civil service test – Therefore, jobs based on ABILITY AND EFFORT  not who you know