Government at Work The Bureaucracy Chapter 15 The

Government at Work The Bureaucracy Chapter 15

The Federal Bureaucracy • The federal bureaucracy, part of the executive branch, carries out most of the day – to – day work of the Federal Government.

What is a Bureaucracy? • It is a large, complex structure that handles the everyday business of an organization. America: Ruled By Regulations • Federal Bureaucracy – all the agencies, people, and procedures through which the Federal Government operates. Basics

Three Guiding Principles v A bureaucracy has a hierarchical structure – a few top officials and units have authority over a large group of managers. IRS Spends $60, 000 v Each bureaucrat, or person who works for the organization, has a specific job. v A bureaucracy operates under a set of formalized rules.

The Federal Bureaucracy Like a pyramid, there are more people at the bottom than at the top. Loyalty down President Executive Office Of the President Cabinet Departments Independent Agencies Agency/Administration Commission Authority/Corporation Begets loyalty up

The Executive Office of the President • The Executive Office of the President includes both advisors and agencies that work closely with the President.

Executive Office of the President (EOP) • The EOP is a complex organization of agencies staffed by the President’s closest advisors and assistants. • The White House is the “nerve center” of the EOP. • The President’s chief of staff directs the White House operations. Cheif of Staff

The Structure of the Executive Office of President EOP Council of Economic Advisors Office of National Drug Control Policy White House Office of Management and Budget National Security Council

The Executive Departments • There are 15 executive or cabinet departments. • Each department head is called a secretary, except for the Department of Justice, who is the attorney general.

The Executive Departments Department of Education Department of State Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Energy Department of Transportation Department of Defense The Executive Departments Department of Homeland Security Department Of Housing and Urban Development Department of Health and Human Services Department of The Treasury Department of Justice Department of Labor Department Of Commerce Department Of Agriculture Department of the Interior

The Executive Departments Department Department Department Department

Independent Agencies • Independent agencies operate outside the executive departments because they do not fit the structure (see previous slide) or they need political protection.

Three types of Independent Agencies Independent Executive Agencies Independent Regulatory Commissions Organize like executive departments Regulate parts of the economy Do not have Cabinet status Are quasi – legislative and quasi - judicial NASA, NTSB, EPA, Civil Rights Commission, Peace Corps Exist outside of presidential control SEC, FTC, NRC, Government Corporations Carry out business – like activities FDIC, US Postal Service, TVA

The Civil Service • Most of the people who work for the Federal government are members of the civil service and are hired and promoted based on their job performance. • Before Civil Service Legislation Government officials give jobs and favors to friends and supporters, creating an inefficient and corrupt system of government. • After Civil service Legislation Government workers are hired based on examinations, and promotions are given based on merit. The competitive nature of this system allows for higher quality work.

What does all of this mean? • “ Government has become so big and so complex that the citizens it represents no longer understand its purpose nor they do they feel represented by it” • What would popular sovereignty say about the above quote?