Bureaucracy Bureaucracy an administrative system especially in a

Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy • an administrative system, especially in a government, that divides work into specific categories carried out by special departments of nonelected officials. • literally means “rule by desks” • government by clerks

Duty of Bureaucracy Cabinet Departments • Most Important duty: Carry out the Day-to-Day business of the government • 15 cabinet departments

What is a Bureaucrat? • A Civil servant, permanent employee of the government • 6 Characteristics of a bureaucracy: – Written rules/procedures – Specialized/division of labor – Hierarchy of authority – Technically qualified personnel – Written communications/records – Impersonal; treats everyone same/equally

Who are the “Bureaucrats? ” § § 97% are career government employees Only 10% live in the D. C. area 30% work for the D. O. D. Less than 15% work for social welfare agencies § Most are white collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers § Civil employees more diverse demographically than Congress

Bureaucratic Statistics • • 2. 9 million civilians 1. 4 million military 4. 2 million state 11. 4 million local • Total: 19. 8 million people work for government

Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy 1. 2. 3. Implementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President Administration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries) Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards) Source: http: //www. pinkmonkey. com/studyguides/subjects/am_gov/chap 6/a 0606401. asp

Organization § § Departments, agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and advisory committees Article 2 (Constitution)President appoints heads of departments

Independent Agencies • Established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch • Given a specific mandate; generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one. • Similar to cabinet departments but usually have a narrower area of responsibility • Ex: Social Security Administration, EPA, NASA, CIA • Perform services for the executive branch

Independent Regulatory Commissions • Exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest such as the Federal Communications Commission (public air waves) or Federal Reserve Board (banking system, money supply) • IRCs operate independently from Congress and the President • Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause • Administrative units that have responsibility for the monitoring and regulation of ongoing economic activities • Created to make rules for large industries and businesses that affect public interest • Under intense pressure from lobbyists • Ex: EPA (environment), SEC (stocks and bonds)

Government Corporations • Government owned businesses created by Congress • May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need • Ex: U. S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Tennessee Valley Authority, Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy Source: www. edmonds. wednet. edu/mths/Class. Activities/ Brzovic/policeymakers. Chapters 12 -16/

Criticisms of Bureaucracies I. RED TAPE § too many rigid procedures, ineffective/inefficient (ex: all hiring must be done through OPM) § too many policies with no flexibility for special circumstances § too many forms to fill out, lines to wait II. INEFFICIENT § lack of incentive to be productive - no profit motive III. DUPLICATION OF SERVICES § bureaucracy is so complicated § agencies are performing similar and sometimes the same functions § Dept. of Commerce overlaps with Dept. of Agriculture, GSA overlaps with Dept. of Interior, etc. § federalism makes this more complicated, many services are provided at the state and national level both

More Criticism IV. BUREAUCRACY IS LAW MAKER § regulations end up having the effect of law. V. BUREAUCRACY IS TOO BIG § privatization would be more effective VI. BUREAUCRACY IS CORRUPT § iron triangle - reveals the relationship between the Executive branch, Congress and private interest groups that can lead to decisions which benefit the private sector at the expense of the government. § VII. Impersonal § VIII. Stifle innovation

The President Supervises the The President can: Bureaucracy • appoint & remove agency heads • reorganize the bureaucracy • issue executive orders President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007 • reduce an agency's budget

Congress can: Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy • create or abolish agencies & departments • cut or reduce funding • investigate agency activities • hold committee hearings • pass legislation that alters an agency's functions Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown testifies before House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina • influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments

Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy The federal courts can: • through judicial review rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U. S. Constitution • provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action Supreme Court of the United States

Cabinet Departments • Serve as the major service organization for the federal government • Has broad powers and responsibility • 15 different cabinets with different agendas and duties Trump’s cabinet as of Sept. 11, 2019 https: //www. cnn. com/2019/09/10/politics/trumpcabinet-list-full/index. html

Department of State • Founded: 1789 • Overall foreign policy of the United States • Embassies- office of ambassadors in foreign countries • Current Secretary: Mike Pompeo

Department of Defense • Founded: 1789 (Department of War) • Changed name in 1949 • Protects the nation’s security • Joint Chiefs of Staff (Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force) • Current Secretary: Mark Esper

Department of Treasury • Founded: 1789 • Managing the money of the US • Ex: IRS, Bureau of Mint, Bureau of Public Debt • Current Secretary: Steven Mnuchin

Department of Interior • Founded: 1849 • Protect public lands and natural resources throughout the nation • Ex: Bureau of Mines • Current Secretary: David Bernhardt

Department of Agriculture • Founded: 1862 • Help farmers improve their income and expand their markets • Ex: Food Safety and Inspection Service • Current Secretary: Sonny Perdue

Department of Justice • Founded: 1870 • Attorney General (1789) • Oversee the nation’s legal affairs • Ex: FBI, DEA, US Marshals • Current Secretary: Attorney General William Barr

Department of Commerce • Founded: 1903 • Promote and protect the industrial and commercial segments of the American economy • Ex: Bureau of Census, Patent and Trademark Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology • Current Secretary: Wilbur Ross

Department of Labor • Founded: 1913 • Protects American workers; safe working conditions, safeguards a minimum wage, and protects pension rights • Ex: Office of American Workplace • Current Secretary: Patrick Pizella (acting)

Housing and Urban Development • Founded: 1965 • Preserve the nation’s communities and ensure equal housing opportunities • Ex: Government National Mortgage Association • Current Secretary: Ben Carson

Transportation Department • Founded: 1966 • Regulate all aspects of transportation needs, policy development, and planning • Federal Aviation, Railroad, Highway, and Transit • Secretary: Elaine Chao

Energy Department • Founded: 1977 • Plans energy policy and researches and develops energy technology • Secretary: Rick Perry

Health and Human Services Department • Founded: 1979 • Health and social services needs of people • Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, FDA • Secretary: Alex Azar

Education Department • Founded: 1979 • Coordinate federal assistance programs for public and private schools • Education is an essential feature of democracy • Secretary: Betsy De. Vos

Veterans Affairs Department • Founded: 1989 • Administers several hospitals, educational, and other programs designed to benefit veterans and families • Secretary: Robert Wilkie

Homeland Security Department • Founded: 2002 • Created after September 11 th to help protect our nation, analyzes information from FBI and CIA • Secretary: Kevin Mc. Aleenan