1. The federal bureaucracy
“the fourth branch”

2. Structure of the Bureaucracy

3. Structure of the Bureaucracy
Definition: the agencies, departments, commissions, etc. within the executive branch
Myths of the Bureaucracy
Americans dislike bureaucrats
Bureaucracies are growing bigger each year
Most federal bureaucrats live in DC
Bureaucracies are ineffective, inefficient, and mired in red tape
Includes Exec. Office of the President, the Cabinet (already covered)

4. Independent regulatory commissions
Created by Congress to regulate important aspects of the nations economy
Generally, decisions of these are beyond presidential control
Quasi-legislative power (make rules and regulations). Policy implementation
Quasi-judicial power—settle disputes in their fields

5. Important regulatory commissions
Federal Reserve Board
FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
FEC (Federal Election Commission)
NLRB (National Labor Relations Board)
SEC (Securities & Exchange Commission)
FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)

6. Government corporations
Created by Congress to carry out various business operations
Postal Service
FDIC
TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)
Amtrak

7. Independent agencies Organized like Cabinet depts., but lack status
NASA
SBA (Small Business Administration)

8. Growth of the Bureaucracy

9. Background Development of the civil service system Size
Prior to late 19th century, the spoils system was used
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1881)—merit system
Hatch Act (1993)—gov’t employees cannot actively participate in politics
Size
Roughly 3 million (2.7 million currently)
Power of the bureaucracy
Discretionary authority—when Congress writes broadly-worded laws it allows for bureaucratic interpretation

11. Reasons for growth of the bureaucracy
National growth—need for agencies to cope w/ higher population
Technology
International crises—increased power of Defense dept.
Citizen demands—gov’t should assume some responsibility for welfare of the nation
Persistent nature of agencies—once created, they are hard to get rid of

12. Government Employment at Federal, State, and Local Levels
© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

13. Federal Government: Money, People, and Regulations
just the bottom chart.

14. Federal Government: Money, People, and Regulations
just the bottom chart.

15. Warm up Identify the 5 components of the federal bureaucracy.
What are independent regulatory commissions? Give an example.
Explain the civil service system and how it has evolved.

16. Influences on Bureaucratic Behavior

17. Influences on the Bureaucracy
Recruitment & retention policies
“buddy system” or a “good ol’ boys network”
Very difficult to fire civil servants
Effects: continuity, expertise in policies
Personal attributes of bureaucrats
More representative of the American people
Legal constraints
Organizational constraints

19. Controlling the Bureaucracy

20. Presidential influences
Powers
Appointment/firing
Propose budgets
Reorganization—although difficult, it is possible
Checks on presidential influence
All the above must go through Congress

21. Congressional influences
Powers
Appropriations of agency budgets $$$
Standing oversight committees
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Appointment confirmations
Limits on congressional influence
Congress may not want to interfere in bureaucracy

22. Interest group influence
Lobbying
Revolving door
Iron triangles

23. Other influences
Media
Courts
Privatization