Bureaucracy

What is a Bureaucracy?

Is an efficient and an effective way to organize people to do work.

They are found wherever there are large organizations

Three features

1. Hierarchical authority 2. Job specialization 3. Formalized rules

Facts – Federal Bureaucracy

Federal bureaucrats are career employees 15 Cabinet-level Departments 60 independent agencies 2000 –Bureaus, divisions and offices 2.8 million workers Diverse group – Rocket scientist to Janitor

Figure 13.2: Federal Government: Money, People, and Regulations

Source: Expenditures and employment, Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2000, Nos. 483 and 582; regulations: Harold W. Stanley and Richard G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics (Washington, D.C.:

Congressional Quarterly Press, 1998), tables 6-12, 6-14.

Figure 13.3: Characteristics of Federal Civilian Employees, 1960 and 1999

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1961, 392-394; Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2000, Nos. 450, 482, 500, 595, 1118.

Policy making

Implementation – the process by which a law or policy is put into operation by the bureaucracy

Ex. – law grants money for persons who are handicapped – bureaucrats will decide “handicapped”

Congressional Oversight

1. agency needs congressional approval 2. Congress must authorize money 3. House Appropriations Committee has

special power over agencies 4. Investigate agencies by holding hearings

Iron Triangles

Relationship & pattern of interaction that occur among an agency, interest group & congressional committee or subcommittee

Ex. – AARP, the Social Security Administration, & the House subcommittee on aging – all would probably agree on the need for increased SS benefits

Issue networks

Not as concrete as “Iron Triangles”More common todayAgency officials, members of Congress,

Interest group lobbyists, lawyers, consultants and professors

Problems with the Bureaucracy

Red Tape Conflict Duplication Imperialism Waste

The text defines bureaucracy as “a large complex organization composed of appointed officials.” What does this mean? Can you envision a large, simple organization? Could such an organization accomplish anything consistently?

Executive Branch

Executive Branch of government includes President, VP, cabinet, & Agencies

Executive Office the President (EOP)

Umbrella agency- includes– White House office– OMB– Council of Economic Advisers– National Security Council– National Drug Control Policy– Office of Vice President

WHITE HOUSE OFFICE

Closest advisors– Staffs organized in 3 ways:– Pyramid structure- Eisenhower,

Nixon, & Reagan– Circular structure- Carter– Ad hoc structure-Clinton

Most important of the EOP offices- White House Office

INCLUDES- CHIEF OF STAFF, COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT, PRESS SECRETARY, EXPERT ADVISORS

The National Security Council

Advises the president on domestic, foreign, and military matters that relate to the nation’s security

Members – VP, Sec. Of Defense & State, director of CIA, & Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

National Security Council

Office of Management & BudgetOMB

Largest office in EOP Major task is to prepare the

federal budget – President must submit to Congress in Jan, or Feb.

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Prepares an annual national drug control strategy

Coordinates the efforts of more than 50 federal agencies fighting the war on drugs

WHO GETS APPOINTED - CABINET

PRESIDENT KNOWS FEW PERSONALLY

MOST HAVE HAD FEDERAL EXPERIENCE

Rivalry often develops between Cabinet and White House staff

Table 12.1: The Cabinet Departments

Journal – Constitutional Democracy and Bureaucratic Power

What constitutional powers does Congress have over the bureaucracy?

What is the basis for the claim that the President is “Chief Administrator?”

Figure 13.4: Department of Homeland Security as Proposed by George W. Bush, June 6, 2002

Source: Ivo H. Daalder, Statement before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United

States Senate, October 12, 2001.