1. Federal Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy

2. Why is there a federal bureaucracy?
intro
Why is there a federal bureaucracy?

3. What is it?
Federal Bureaucracy

4. Bureaucracy Basics Federal Bureaucracy
A body of non-elected government officials
Millions of people doing the administrative work of the govt
They perform the main task of policy implementation
They are chosen for jobs based on expertise & experience, not politics

5. Bureaucracy Basics Why?
They handle the day to day operations of the United States government
They help thee president “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”
To carry out policy, the president requires a staff of millions
Bureaucracy allows those with expertise to impact policy at the ground level

6. Bureaucracy Basics What do they do?
Implement policy – translate policy into action
Administration – carry out routine tasks
Regulation – enforce laws for the government
They also have judicial and legislative roles.

7. Bureaucracy Basics Who?
There are about 3 million employees of the federal government
Much is concentrated in DC<but they are spread all across the country
These are mostly regular people doing regular jobs
Demographics of bureaucracy reflect the population of America more than any other branch

8. Characteristics of Bureaucracy
Federal Bureaucracy

9. Bureaucracy Characteristics Hierarchal Authority
There’s a hierarchal structure that organizes leadership
There’s a clear chain of command
“Street level bureaucrats” are at the bottom of the pyramid
They do the hands on implementation but don’t develop policy much
Decision makers in the executive branch in Washington are at the top

10. Bureaucracy Characteristics Formalized Rules
The bureaucracy is designed to treat all people exactly the same
Standard operating procedures ensure there’s no special treatment
Most implementation is governed by extensive rules that leave street level bureaucrats with no wiggle room

11. The people working in the bureaucracy were hired for their expertise
Characteristics
Job Specialization
The people working in the bureaucracy were hired for their expertise
They are policy specialists as opposed to the other three branches made up of policy generalists
Their experience and knowledge make them suited for their agency, but it’s unlikely that they could work in others.

12. Evaluating Bureaucracy
Federal Bureaucracy

13. Bureaucracy Evaluating Least Democratic No one that works in the
bureaucracy is elected
People are paid based on experience, not performance
People rarely lose their jobs because of poor performance (because of standard operating procedure)
There are not opportunities for people to hold the bureaucracy accountable

14. Bureaucracy Evaluating Most Democratic
It interacts with people more than any other branch of government
The demographics of the bureaucracy match the demographics of the country
Women make up 45% of workforce. Minorities make up 35%
Only half of federal government employees have a college degree
The average salary is $84,000

15. Bureaucracy Evaluating Myths
“People dislike bureaucrats” – mostly they hate the idea, but do like them
“Bureaucracy is growing” – federal govt is not growing, but states are
“They’re all in DC” – only 1 in 7 employees actually works in DC
“They’re inefficient” – they don’t get credit when they work well, problems are emphasized

16. Civil Service
Federal Bureaucracy

17. Bureaucracy Civil Service Civil Service
The civilian workforce – non military employees of the US Government
There are 2.9 million civil servants
Employees are hired based on merit in a competitive hiring process
Anyone can become a member of the civil service
The people and their jobs are
non partisan

18. Bureaucracy Civil Service Pendleton Civil Service Act
Until the Progressive Era most govt workers were hired through patronage
Jobs were exchanged for donations and political favors.
The Pendleton Act was passed to end the “spoils system”
It created the modern civil service people to hire and promote workers based on merit instead of patronage

19. Bureaucracy Civil Service Hatch Act
Prohibits government employees from participating in partisan politics
While on duty, they can’t engage in partisan politics in any way
They are prevented from running for office
Some national security workers are prevented from doing so even off duty

20. Bureaucracy Civil Service Office of Personnel Management
The office in charge of hiring most federal employees
They make rules about the hiring process and requirements
In most cases, people have to take a test in order to qualify for a job
If they pass, their name is given to an agency with an opening
Their salary is determined by the General Schedule rating – people with the same experience & qualifications are
paid the same

21. Bigly Ideas
Beliefs & Behaviors

22. Bureaucracy Wrap Up Why bureaucracy exists Characteristics
Criticism of Bureaucracy
Civil Servants
Focus on these things: