THE BUREAUCRACY Types of bureaucratic agencies The Cabinet
THE BUREAUCRACY
Types of bureaucratic agencies • The Cabinet • Regulatory agencies • Government corporations • Independent executive agencies
Functions of Bureaucracies • Large administrative agencies • Hierarchical authority • job specialization • Driven by rules and regulations • 6 primary functions: • Recognizable division of labor – skilled workers – specialized function to increase productivity. • Allocation of function – tasks assigned and defined • Allocation of responsibility – each task is understood by the workers and can not be changed with out approval • Direct and indirect supervision • Control of the full time worker • Workers careers are synonymous with organization
Accountability • Constitution • Federal laws • Dictates of the 3 branches of government • Superiors • Public interest • Interest groups
Cabinet • 15 departments headed by a secretary • Appointed by the president + consent of the Senate • They manage specific policy areas, and each has its own budget.
Regulatory agencies • Independent regulatory agencies • Quasi legislative • Quasi Judicial • “Alphabet agencies” • Examples: • Interstate Commerce Commission • Federal Trade Commission • Food and Drug Administration • Federal Communications Commission • Securities and Exchange Commission • Environmental Protection Agency • Occupational Safety and Health Administration • Federal Election Commission
Government corporations • Example: TVA (New Deal) or Resolution Trust Corporations • Created to deal with bankruptcies and many failures •
Independent executive agencies • Ex: General Services Administration • Handles government purchasing • Specific responsibilities that facilitate the day to day operation of the government.
Congressional Oversight • Agency heads are called before congressional committees to testify about issues related to the workings of the agency. • Improve the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of governmental operations • Evaluate programs and performance • Detect and prevent poor administration • Protect civil liberties and constitutional rights • Inform the general public • Gather information to develop new legislative proposals
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