THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY

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THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY

• Examining the Fourth Branch

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bureaucracy

• literally means rule by desks
• government by clerks

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bureaucracy

• Definition an administrative system, especially
  in a government, that divides work into specific
  categories carried out by special departments of
  nonelected officials

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Characteristics of a Bureaucracy

• administration of government through departments
• consists of unelected often highly trained
  professionals
• task specialization
• hierarchical authority

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Public Perceptionsof Bureaucracies

• impersonal
• inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures
• may stifle effectiveness and innovation
• red tape

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The Federal Bureaucracy
What is the federal bureaucracy?
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The Federal Bureaucracy is

• 4 million employees 2.8 million are civilians or
  civil servants
• President only appoints 3 (patronage or
  political appointments)
• 15 cabinet level departments
• 200 independent agencies with 2,000 bureaus,
  divisions, branches, etc.
• Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service,
  Veterans Administration

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The Federal Bureaucracy
What does the federal bureaucracy do?
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Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy

• 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/sub
  jects/am_gov/chap6/a0606401.asp

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The Federal Bureaucracy
How is the federal bureaucracy organized?
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The Federal Bureaucracy

• Consists of
• Cabinet Departments
• Independent Executive Agencies
• Independent Regulatory Commissions
• Government Corporations

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Federal Bureaucracy
Federal Bureaucracy
President
Congress
Executive Office of the President (Ex OMB, NSC)
Independent Regulatory Commissions (Ex FCC,
SEC)
Independent Executive Agencies (Ex CIA, NASA)
Cabinet Departments (Ex State, Defense)
Government Corporations (Ex Amtrack, Postal
Service)
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Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy
Source www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivitie
s/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
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The Cabinet Departments

• The 15 cabinet departments headed by a cabinet
  secretary appointed by the president and approved
  by the Senate
• Each department expert in specific policy area
• Each department has its own budget
• Department of Homeland Security, created in 2002,
  is newest department

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Department of Homeland Security
Executive Secretary
Commandant of Coast Guard (1)
Legislative Affairs
Secretary ---------------------------------- Deput
y Secretary
Inspector General
Public Affairs
General Counsel
State and Local Coordination
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Citizenship Immigration Service Ombudsman (1)
Director, Bureau of Citizenship Immigration
Services (1)
Special Assistant to the Secretary (private
sector)
Director of the Secret Service (1)
Privacy Officer
Small Disadvantaged Business
National Capital Region Coordination
Chief of Staff
International Affairs
Shared Services
Counter Narcotics
Under Secretary Science and Technology
Under Secretary Information Analysis and
Infrastructure Protection
Under Secretary Border Transportation Security
Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and
Response
Under Secretary Management
Note (1) Effective March 1st, 2003
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Independent Executive Agencies

• Established by Congress with separate status
  outside the executive branch
• Given a specific mandate and generally perform a
  service function, not a regulatory one.
• Some examples include Social Security
  Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.

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Independent Regulatory Commissions

• IRCs 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

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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

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Who works for the federal government?
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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

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Where do Federal Employees Work?
Source www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivitie
s/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
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What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do?
Source www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivitie
s/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
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(No Transcript)
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Who supervises the federal bureaucracy?
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The President Supervises the
Bureaucracy

• The President can
• appoint remove
  agency heads
• reorganize the bureaucracy
• issue executive orders
• reduce an agency's budget

President Bush speaks about his budget
priorities for FY 2007
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Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy

• Congress can
• create or abolish agencies
  departments
• cut or reduce funding
• investigate agency activities
• hold committee hearings
• pass legislation that alters an
  agency's functions
• influence or even fail to confirm presidential
  appointments

Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown testifies before
House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina
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Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy

• 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
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The Bureaucracy of Pizza
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Thinking Critically

1. Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to
   as the fourth branch?
2. Some critics believe that the real power in the
   federal government lies with the federal
   bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this
   is true?

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Title The Damages of the Bureaucracy

• Artist unknown, La Presna, Panama
• Date May, 2006
• Source http//www.politicalcartoons.com

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Title Federal Employees Self Esteem Class
Artist Chip Bok Date
unknown Source http//www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif

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Title Another Layer of Bureaucracy
Artist Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant Date
February, 2006 Source http//www.politicalcart
oons.com
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Title FEMAs Follies
Artist Mike Keefe, The Denver Post Date April,
2006 Source http//www.cagle.com/news/FEMASFollie
s/main.asp