Executive Branch and Bureaucracy The working part of the government This presentation is the property of Dr. Kevin Parsneau for use by him and his current students. No other person may use or reprint without his permission.

Bureaucracy What is the modern bureaucracy? How did we get the modern bureaucracy? What does the U.S. bureaucracy do? What can go wrong with bureaucracies? How does the U.S. system try to prevent problems with the bureaucracy?

Bureaucracy “The complex structure of offices task rules and principles of organization that are employed by all large-scale institutions to coordinate effectively the work of their personnel.” --Max Weber ( )

Some things are inherently public goods Public goods – national defense – police – roads – public schools – libraries – clean air – parks – And lots of other things

Collective Action Problems: Societies under-produce non-exclusive collective (public) benefits because individuals have no incentive to contribute when they can enjoy the benefits without personal cost (“free riders”). Self-interested individuals would not have national defense police roads public schools libraries clean air etc. Self-interested individuals would not be able to pay for any public benefits. Governments and bureaucracies are one way modern societies produce and pay for collective benefits.

What sorts of tasks do bureaucracies do? If there is a profit in something, some corporation or individual will produce it for profit. If it is a simple, small-scale task, people or small groups can solve it for themselves

What sorts of tasks do bureaucracies do? Usually unprofitable to individuals to produce (but a public good that we all benefit from) Large-scale and complicated tasks Is it fair that bureaucracies have to do some of the most difficult tasks in our society?

Growth of Modern State Patronage System – “To the victor go the spoils”—Andrew Jackson Merit system and Reforms – Pendleton Act 1883 Progressive Era ( s) Great Depression and WWII ( s) Great Society (1960s)

Types of Bureaucracies Departments Independent Agencies Regulatory Boards Government Corporations

Duties Implement policy Regulate – (administrative discretion) Information Data collection

Other Issues Performance Openness Neutral Competence Politicization Iron Triangles Oversight

Other Issues Performance Openness Neutral Competence Politicization Iron Triangles Oversight

Iron Triangle Term describing when the bureaucratic organization clientele groups and congress seek to control policy and prevent outside intervention.

Oversight of the Bureaucracy President Congress Courts

Oversight of the Bureaucracy President – Chief Executive – Appoint top officers – Centralize decisions – Reform reorganize and abolish

Oversight of the Bureaucracy Congress – Budget – Confirmation – Hearings and investigations

Oversight of the Bureaucracy Courts Citizens and States can take bureaucracies to court – Unconstitutionality – Failure to act on legislative directive is opposed to the mission of the agency?