1. Chapter 15 Notes Government at Work: The Bureaucracy
American Government
Chapter 15 Notes
Government at Work: The Bureaucracy

2. Section 1
The Federal Bureaucracy

3. What is a Bureaucracy
A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization
It is an efficient and an effective way to organize people to do work… most of the time
Three Features of a Bureaucracy
Hierarchical authority
Chain of command
Job Specialization
Each Bureaucrat has a certain defined duty and responsibility
Formalized Rules
The Benefits of a Bureaucracy
Generally the most effective way to work together on a large and complex task

4. Major Elements of the Federal Bureaucracy
All the agencies, people, and procedures through which the Federal Government operates
Not spelled out specifically in the U.S. Constitution
Must have an effective administration
The government’s many administrators and agencies

5. The Name Game
Sometimes names refer to level of importance that the unit of the Executive branch has
However, there is little standardized use of titles

6. Staff and Line Agencies
The several units that make up any administrative organization can be classified as either staff or line agencies
Staff agencies
They aid the chief executive and other administrators by offering advice and other assistance in the management of the organization
Line agencies
Actually perform the tasks for which organizations exists

7. Section 2
The Executive Office of the President

8. The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Is an umbrella agency, including all the separate agencies with the job of helping the President enforce the laws

9. The White House Office
The “nerve center” of the Executive Office is the White House Office
Most of the work is done in the Historic West Wing
Chief of Staff to the President directs all of the operations of the White House Office
Including Press Secretary, The counsel, and the President’s physician

10. The National Security Council
Most foreign policy issues are taken care of by the National Security Council (NSC)
Includes Vice President, secretaries of state and defense, Head of CIA and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Office of Homeland Security
Newest EOP, created in response to September 11
Work to protect this country against any and all acts of terrorism

11. Other EOP Agencies Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
2nd most influential unit in the EOP
Main task is preparation of the federal budget
A very detailed estimate of receipts and expenditures, an anticipation of federal income and outgo, during the next fiscal year
Fiscal year is the 12-month period used by government and business for record keeping
Lasts from October 1 through September 30
Expression of public policy in money terms
Manages much of the actions of other agencies, to verify that they are spending according to the President’s policy positions

12. Other EOP Agencies (Con’t)
Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Council of Economic Advisers
Gives the President advice on the state of the U.S. economy
Other Units in the EOP
Includes agencies that take care of the domestic affairs
All matters not directly connected to the realm of foreign affairs

13. Section 3
The Executive Departments

14. Executive Departments
Often called the Cabinet departments, they are the traditional units of federal administration, and each of them is built around some broad field of activity
Chief Officers and Staff
Each department is headed by a secretary
An official in charge of a department of government
Except Department of Justice
Directed by the Attorney General
These positions must be approved by the Senate

15. Executive Departments (Con’t)
Subunits
Allow the department to meet different specific needs
The Departments Today
Department of State is the oldest and most prestigious
Department of Defense is the largest
There is a total of 15 Departments
Including Department of Labor

16. The Cabinet
An informal advisory body brought together by the President to serve their needs
The Cabinet is generally formed by the 15 Executive Departments
Appointees to the Departments must be approved by the Senate
Women and Minorities
Has gradually played a greater role in the Cabinet, since FDR
The Cabinet’s Role
Mainly to be advisers to the President, however it is not called for in the Constitution
A tradition President’s have carried on