1. The Simpsons Movie

2. Overview Democracy Executive Power Governance
What is the role of government?
Is government necessary?
Is government competent?

3. Democracy
Democracy = demos + kratia = rule by people

4. Executive Power
The President is Chief Executive, a role which nominally places him in charge of the federal bureaucracy

5. Cabinet Departments Cabinet Departments 15 Cabinet Departments
Agriculture Commerce Defense
Education Energy HHS
Homeland Sec HUD Interior
Justice Labor State
Transportation Treasury VA

6. Independent Executive Agencies
IEAs are agencies who report directly to the president but stand independent of the federal bureaucracy
e.g.,
CIA
EPA
NASA
EPA Director Lisa Jackson

7. Independent Regulatory Agency
Agency substantially independent of both the rest of the executive branch and Congress
Usually dedicated to regulating a narrow area of public policy
e.g., Fed FCC FTC NLRB, EEOC

8. Government Corporations
Government owned business designed as a for-profit enterprise
e.g., FDIC, TVA, USPS, AmTrak, PBS

9. Staffing Spoils System Job appointments given over to executive branch
Jobs awarded on the basis of political ties and fealty

10. Staffing Merit System 1883 Pendleton Act (Civil Service Reform Act)
Jobs awarded on basis of merit/qualifications
Created Civil Service Commission to administer personnel decisions (hire/pay)

11. Staffing Office of Personnel Mangement Civil Service Reform Act (1978)
Merit Systems Protection Board
Office of Personnel Mangement

12. Functions
Bureaucracies are in some ways a “mini” government unto unthemselves
administrative
implementation of legislative and executive policies
quasi legislative
proposed rules
quasi judicial
enforcement of rules

13. Functions Bureaucrats can have important role in shaping public policy
they can support the president with information
they can shape presidential options with information provided
they can undermine the president with information and actions

14. Governance Is Government necessary? Or a necessary evil?
Is government able to live up to its responsiblities?
Environmental Protection
National Security