Institutions of American Government

Module 4.3: The BureaucracySection 4: Classes of Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal Bureaucracy in 1789

PotUS

Sec. of State Attorney General Postmaster General

VPotUS

Sec. of TreasurySec. of War

The Federal Bureaucracy Today

Cabinet Departments

• “Main Line” executive departments• Created/funded by Congress• Usually headed by a secretary• Secretary appointed by PotUS, confirmed

by Senate• Reports to PotUS• Administers broad areas of public policy

Cabinet OrganizationSecretary

Assistant Sec’y 1 Assistant Sec’y 2 Assistant Sec’y 3

Deputy Secretary 1

Deputy Secretary 2

Deputy Secretary 3

Deputy Secretary 1

Deputy Secretary 2

Deputy Secretary 3

Deputy Secretary 1

Deputy Secretary 2

Deputy Secretary 3

Deputy Assistant Sec.

Deputy Assistant Sec

Deputy Assistant Sec.

Deputy Assistant Sec.

Deputy Asssitant Sec.

Deputy Assistant Sec.

Deputy Asssitant Sec.

Deputy Asssitant Sec.

Deputy Assistant Sec.

Civil service Civil service Civil service

Political Appointments

Direct AppointmentsOr civil service assignment

Civil Service System(OPM & MSPB)

Independent Executive Agencies

• Created/funded by Congress• Usually headed by a Director• Director appointed by PotUS, confirmed by

Senate• Director reports to PotUS• Administers narrow, specific areas of

public policy

Organization of IEAs

DirectorAssistant Director 1

Assistant Director 2

Assistant Director 3

Civil service

Civil service

Civil service

Political Appointment

Direct appointment

Civil Service System(OPM & MSPB)

Independent Regulatory Agencies

• Created/funded by Congress• Usually headed by a Commissioner or Board of

Directors• Board chairman usually appointed by PotUS &

confirmed by Senate• Board members may be appointed by PotUS or

by Congress• Administers policy independent of both PotUS &

Congress• Regulates specific areas of US Economy

Organization of Regulatory Agencies

Regulatory Board

Enforcement Division

Adjudication Division

Inspectors

Administrators

Ombudsman

Review Board

Appointment by PotUS or by Congress

Appointment by Regulatory Board

Civil Service System(OPM & MSPB)

Appointment by Regulatory Board

The Controversy over Regulatory Agencies

Regulatory Board

Enforcement Division

Adjudication Division

Inspectors

Administrators

Ombudsman

Review Board

Legislative power

Executive Power

Judicial Power

All in the Same Agency!

Government Corporations• Created by Congress• Not necessarily funded by Congress• Most positions appointed according to OPM &

MSPB regulations & procedures• Few positions subject to PotUS or

Congressional appointment• Generally provide products and/or services to

the public for a fee• Organized according to management models in

the private sector

Organization of Government Corporations

Governing Board

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial/Marketing Officer Government Relations Officer Human Relations Officer General Counsel

Regional Directors of Operations Treasurer

Comptroller

Supply Management

Marketing

Public Affairs & Communications

Consumer Advocacy

Employee Resource Mgmt.

Employee Development

Labor Relations

Sales

Product/Service Development

Customer Service

Product/Service Pricing & Classification

Strategic Planning

Inspection/Quality Control

Appointment by PotUS or by Congress

Direct appointment by Governing Board

Civil Service System(OPM & MSPB)

Government Contracts

• Private companies• Provide products & services to Government on a

contractual basis• Employees hold GS-ratings and may hold

security clearances• Generally not subject to OPM & MSPB

regulation • Contracts may be awarded through competitive

bidding or through exclusive “no-bid” contracts