CHAPTER 8 The Federal Bureaucracy. Learning Objectives Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 2 Describe the bureaucracy as part of the executive branch of

CHAPTER 8CHAPTER 8The Federal BureaucracyThe Federal Bureaucracy

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning2

Describe the bureaucracy as part of the executive branch of government organized hierarchically with standard operating procedures for doing business

Assess the critical role that the bureaucracy plays in the implementation of federal policy



Define “delegated authority” and apply the conditions under which such authority is granted

Distinguish the oversight function of Congress over the bureaucracy

Evaluate why Congress has provided some bureaucratic units with administrative judicatory authority



Describe how the federal bureaucracy has evolved over time, including substantial growth spurts as a result of the New Deal and Great Society programs and the Cold War

Explain methods for attempting to control or reduce the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy through privatization, devolution, deregulation, and accountability



Distinguish between the different types of agencies in the federal bureaucracy

Describe the large scope of the federal workforce and the civil service rules governing federal employment

What is Bureaucracy?What is Bureaucracy?


Bureaucracy Organization set up in a logical and rational manner Purpose: accomplish specific functions

Most likely to come into direct contact with bureaucracy than any other part of government

What is Bureaucracy?What is Bureaucracy?


Weber’s Six Characteristics of Effective Bureaucracies Organized based on specialization, expertise, and

division of labor Hierarchical—chain of command Standard operating procedures Good record keeping—paper trail Air of professionalism Merit-based hiring and promotions

What does the Federal What does the Federal Bureaucracy Do?Bureaucracy Do?


Most is contained within the executive branch Executive power: to carry out, administer, and

enforce specific laws Primarily a presidential responsibility



Policy Implementation Process of carrying out a law Requires translating the legislation into action

Begin by developing regulations Rules guiding the carrying out of the

program/service Published in the Federal Register



Bureaucratic Legislation Administrative discretion Delegated congressional power Administrative Law



Congressional Oversight Congress’ monitoring of bureaucratic agencies

If not satisfied with an agency’s performance Congress can Conduct investigations Reduce or eliminate the budget Refuse to confirm appointments Eliminate the agency, or establish a new agency

and shift resources and powers to it



Bureaucratic Adjudication Determining the rights and duties of particular

parties within the scope of an agency’s rules

The Development of theThe Development of theFederal BureaucracyFederal Bureaucracy


Washington’s presidency had three departments Department of State Department of Treasury Department of War

The Development of theThe Development of theFederal BureaucracyFederal Bureaucracy


Mid-1800s: Department of the Interior 1862: Department of Agriculture 1870: Department of Justice 1884: Bureau of Labor 1888: Commerce Agency Early 1900s: Elevated to Cabinet status

The Development of the The Development of the Federal BureaucracyFederal Bureaucracy


Events affecting growth of bureaucracy FDR’s New Deal Johnson’s Great Society program of the 1960s Cold War

Getting Control of theGrowing Bureaucracy


Privatization Replacing government-provided services with those

provided by the private sector

Deregulation Eliminating government oversight and regulation

Devolution Shifting responsibility and power back to the states

“Reinventing Government” Improved effectiveness and efficiency

The Organization of theThe Organization of theFederal BureaucracyFederal Bureaucracy


Cabinet Departments Major administrative

organizations of executive branch

Headed by a secretary except for Justice Department


The Cabinet Departments

Department of State Department of Labor

Department of Treasury Department of Housing and Urban Development

Department of Defense Department of Transportation

Department of Justice Department of Education

Department of the Interior

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Agriculture

Department of Energy

Department of Commerce

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Homeland Security



The Department of Homeland Security Created after September 11, 2001, attacks Reorganized 22 existing federal agencies into one

cabinet department Protect nation against threats



Independent Agencies Not part of any

executive cabinet department

Report directly to president

Narrower focus



Regulatory Agencies Implement rules regarding conduct related to the

economy Not under direct control of the president Created by Congress Run by independent boards/commissions



Regulatory Agencies The Federal Trade Commission(FTC) The Federal Communications Commission(FCC) The Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) The Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission(EEOC) The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) The Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC)



Government Corporations Small units that run like private companies Serve a public purpose

The Executive Office of the President Staff that reports directly to the president Managed by White House Chief of Staff

The Federal WorkforceThe Federal Workforce


2.8 million civilian personnel 1.6 million U.S. military personnel Largest employer in U.S.

Change in Number of Federal Change in Number of Federal Workers, Civilian and MilitaryWorkers, Civilian and Military




Political Appointees and Career Professionals Presidential appointees Some require Senate confirmation Senior Executive Service(SES)



The Civil Service Majority of federal workforce President Jackson’s massive restructuring

Spoils system Patronage

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act Merit system

Hatch Act of 1939 Civil Service Reform Act of 1978

Documents

CHAPTER 8 The Federal Bureaucracy. Learning Objectives Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 2 Describe the bureaucracy as part of the executive branch of