1. 6-2: Organization of the Bureaucracy

2. Big Idea: Competing Policymaking Interests
Enduring Understanding:
The federal bureaucracy is a powerful institution implementing federal policies with sometimes questionable accountability.
Learning Objective:
Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government.

3. Bureaucratic Agencies
Cabinet Departments
Headed by cabinet secretaries
Independent Executive Agencies
Most non-cabinet departments
NASA
NSF
EPA
CIA

4. Bureaucratic Agencies
Regulatory Agencies
Protect the public by regulating the economy
Led by small commissions
Terms overlap presidencies
Cannot be removed by presidents
More isolated from political pressure
Subject to congressional oversight
Federal Reserve Board
Monetary policy
Setting interest rates
Regulating money supply
Adjusting bank reserves
SEC
FTC
NLRB

5. Bureaucratic Agencies
Government Corporations
Provide vital services
Could potentially be provided by private sector
Bank of the United States (historic)
Tennessee Valley Authority
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Amtrak
U.S. Postal Service
Often subsidized by Congress
Privatization?