1. Growth & Controlling the BU
Unit 4 Institutions

2. What does the BU actually do? An example to analyze
Issue: Should internet access be open to the public? Should ISP (Internet Service Providers) companies have a big influence on cost and access? This is the question of what is called “Net Neutrality” Here’s a video clip of recent FCC regulations and decisions on Net Neutrality: Net Neutrality FCC Regulations

3. I. Development of Civil Service System

4. Spoils System
Pendleton Act (1881)
Today > 90% of federal employees are civil service workers
Well under 10% of top level federal jobs are still filled by presidential appointment. People in this category are known as political appointees

5. II. Size 3 million civilian federal employees
Number has been fairly consistent since ,000 jobs cut under Clinton *More in the last few years due to government shutdown(s)
C. TWO perspectives on size of BU
Efficiency of the BU
Transfer of federal $ and responsibilities to state and local govts

6. III. Power of BU: cannot be measured in the number of bureaucrats alone
Discretionary authority  
Passing rules and regulations- i.e. OSHA workplace regulations, IRS tax codes (all 7500 pages of them)
Drafting legislation
Advice to the White House
Settling disputes

7. IV. Reasons for growth of power of BU

8. National growth
Technology (e.g. FAA, FCC)
International crises
Gov’t assumption of national welfare
Persistent nature of agencies to survive

9. V. Controlling (Checks & Balances)

10. A. Presidential Influences
1. Powers
2. Checks on presidential influences

11. B. Congressional Influences
1. Powers 2. Limits on Congressional Influence: Congress may not really want to clamp down on the BU

12. C. Interest Group Influence
1.Lobbying 2. “Revolving Door” 3. Client groups: (e.g. dairy groups and Dept of Agriculture) 4. Iron Triangles/issue networks/policy networks: Congressional committee, relevant agency, related interest groups 5. Issue networks and policy networks

13. VI. Types of Agencies & Commissions
Independent Agencies
Independent Regulatory Commissions
Government Corporations

14. A. Independent Agencies
1.Organization 2. Examples- NASA, FBI, CIA, EPA

15. B. Independent Regulatory Commissions
1.Created by Congress
2. Decision making power
Commissioner terms
Majority party
Staggered terms
Commissioners removal
3. Quasi Legislative Powers  “policy implementation”

16. 5. Some important regulatory commissions:
4. Quasi Judicial Powers
5. Some important regulatory commissions:
Federal Reserve Board
FCC
FEC
NLRB
SEC
FTC

17. C. Government Corporations
1. Created by Congress to carry out various business operations 2. Examples; Postal Service, FDIC, TVA