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POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"

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This document summarizes the structure and functions of the federal bureaucracy in the United States. It outlines that the federal bureaucracy is made up of cabinet-level departments, independent agencies, regulatory boards and commissions, and government corporations. It also describes the roles that bureaucrats play as administrators who implement laws, rule makers who create detailed regulations, and judges who interpret laws. Additionally, it discusses how congressional committees, interest groups, and the courts provide checks on bureaucratic power and influence policymaking.

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POL 140 Fall 2014
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Charged with carrying out responsibilities of federal government  Includes executive branch departments, agencies, boards, and commissions
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Cabinet-Level Departments  Independent Agencies  Regulatory Boards and Commissions  Government Corporations
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Fifteen Departments  Secretary appointed by president  What issues fall under the cabinet?  Foreign Relations  Agriculture  Education
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Enforce regulations and create policy  Single head appointed by president  Narrow areas of jurisdiction  Size varies
 Agency run by a small number of officials  Appointed by the president, serve a fixed term  Sector of economy or political arena Federal Communications Commission Food and Drug Administration
 Service NOT provided by private business
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Hierarchy  Specialization  Explicit Rules  Merit Max Weber
HIERARCHY  Clear chain of command SPECIALIZATION  Tasks are divided
EXPLICIT RULES  Limited in personal discretion  Standardization and predictability MERIT  Hiring and promotions based on objective criteria  Subjective measures (e.g. family connections) should NOT play role
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Administrator  Rule Maker  Judge
 Implements and administers laws  Serves in professional and non-partisan way  Examples:  Park Rangers  Police Officers
 Writes details of legislation  Bureaucracy is delegated legislative authority, known as bureaucratic discretion  Importance of judgment  Decisions not without safeguards  Federal Register and Public
 Interpreting the law in certain cases  “Rules of the Game”  Responsible for ensuring compliance  Rulings can be overturned by Congress
POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"
 Appointment Power  The Budget Process  Government Reorganization  “The Power of Persuasion”
 Relationship between government actors:  Congressional Committee  Interest Group  Bureaucratic Agency
Congressional Committee Select Committee on Aging Interest Group American Association of Retired Persons Bureaucratic Agency Social Security Administration
 Powerful check  Members’ views on implementation  Committees with jurisdiction over an issue can request agency testify before them  Congress sets funding levels for agencies
 Agencies sued by individuals and businesses  Courts play minor role in process  Bureaucratic deference  Agencies being out of Court’s reach  Time constraints

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POL 140, "The Bureaucracy"

  • 7.  Charged with carrying out responsibilities of federal government  Includes executive branch departments, agencies, boards, and commissions
  • 9.  Cabinet-Level Departments  Independent Agencies  Regulatory Boards and Commissions  Government Corporations
  • 11.  Fifteen Departments  Secretary appointed by president  What issues fall under the cabinet?  Foreign Relations  Agriculture  Education
  • 13.  Enforce regulations and create policy  Single head appointed by president  Narrow areas of jurisdiction  Size varies
  • 14.  Agency run by a small number of officials  Appointed by the president, serve a fixed term  Sector of economy or political arena Federal Communications Commission Food and Drug Administration
  • 15.  Service NOT provided by private business
  • 17.  Hierarchy  Specialization  Explicit Rules  Merit Max Weber
  • 18. HIERARCHY  Clear chain of command SPECIALIZATION  Tasks are divided
  • 19. EXPLICIT RULES  Limited in personal discretion  Standardization and predictability MERIT  Hiring and promotions based on objective criteria  Subjective measures (e.g. family connections) should NOT play role
  • 21.  Administrator  Rule Maker  Judge
  • 22.  Implements and administers laws  Serves in professional and non-partisan way  Examples:  Park Rangers  Police Officers
  • 23.  Writes details of legislation  Bureaucracy is delegated legislative authority, known as bureaucratic discretion  Importance of judgment  Decisions not without safeguards  Federal Register and Public
  • 24.  Interpreting the law in certain cases  “Rules of the Game”  Responsible for ensuring compliance  Rulings can be overturned by Congress
  • 26.  Appointment Power  The Budget Process  Government Reorganization  “The Power of Persuasion”
  • 27.  Relationship between government actors:  Congressional Committee  Interest Group  Bureaucratic Agency
  • 28. Congressional Committee Select Committee on Aging Interest Group American Association of Retired Persons Bureaucratic Agency Social Security Administration
  • 29.  Powerful check  Members’ views on implementation  Committees with jurisdiction over an issue can request agency testify before them  Congress sets funding levels for agencies
  • 30.  Agencies sued by individuals and businesses  Courts play minor role in process  Bureaucratic deference  Agencies being out of Court’s reach  Time constraints