The Bureaucracy at Work What is the Bureaucracy

The Bureaucracy at Work

What is the Bureaucracy? It is the system of departments, agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and advisory committees that perform the major functions of government.

Influencing Policy • Making Rules • When a law is passed, bureaucracy determines how the law is carried out • Rules and Regulations • Department of Social Security

Influencing Policy • Involvement in Lawmaking • Helps to draft new bills • Laws are created with the bureaucracy in mind • Safe Streets Act of 1968 • Created Law Enforcement Assistance Administration

Influencing Policy • Providing Advice • Provide lawmakers with information • Give advice on what to do • More involvement than filling in details of the laws

Why the Bureaucracy Makes Policy • Growth of the nation • More people, more government • Growth of technology • More complex life is, more government

Why the Bureaucracy Makes Policy • Citizen Demands • When people want the government to do something, the bureaucracy grows • Cycle of the Bureaucracy • Agencies are hard to remove • With more agencies comes more policies

Influencing Bureaucratic Decisions • Congress • Bureaucrats have a relationship with legislators • Cabinet departments have a ‘liaison office’ who promotes a good relationship with congress

Influencing Bureaucratic Decisions • Client Groups • Definition: Individuals and groups who work with a government agency and are most affected by its decisions • Examples: AARP, NRA, Farmers, Defense Contractors

Iron Triangles • Comprised of: • Congress • Client Groups • Federal Department or Agency

Iron Triangles • Together, the three parts have the necessary resources to satisfy each other’s needs • One of the strongest sources of policy making in the government • Can be created for almost any cause

Iron Triangle