Chapter 15: The Bureaucracy p. 402

Definition: Bureaucracy A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials. Authority is divided so no one person is able to make all the decisions. It could be a school, agency or Congress.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 15 | 3 Bureaucratic Pathologies Red tape: complex, sometimes conflicting rules Conflict: agencies work at cross-purposes Duplication: two or more agencies seem to do the same thing Imperialism: tendency of agencies to grow, irrespective of programs’ benefits and costs Waste: spending more than is necessary to buy some product or service

Events that led to a change in the role of bureaucracy (from serving to regulating) A.The Great Depression 1. Gov’t was now expected to plan a role in dealing with economic and social problems. 2. Example: Nixon’s Cost of living council could make sweeping changes B. World War II 1. Large increase in income taxes to pay for war led to more administrators in D.C. 2. Example: The Pentagon was built in WWII

C. 9/11 attacks could also affect the bureaucracy as profoundly as WWII 1. A new cabinet agency (Department of Homeland Security) was created 2. Intelligence-gathering activities were consolidated under a National Intelligence Director

GROWTH OF BUREAUCRACY 1. Significant indirect increase in number of employees through use of private contractors, state and local government employees 2. Growth in discretionary authority

Hiring a bureaucrat (p.408) 1.Some take a test administered by the OPM(Office of Personnel Management) 2.Some of hired based on needs of the agency and the education of the employee. (lawyer, scientist)

Firing a bureaucrat(p.410) 1.Must be given written notice 30 days in advance with reasons and examples of unacceptable performance 2.Employee has right to an attorney and to reply and to appeal in front of a board 3.The employee can appeal board’s decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Constraints on bureaucracies 1.Before adopting any new rules notice must be given and hearings held. 2.Citizens can inspect any gov’t records. 3. All meetings must be held in public.

Effects of Constraints 1.Gov't will act slowly. 2.Gov’t will act inconsistently 3.Its easier to block action than to take action. 4.Too much red tape: complex bureaucratic rules

Why are there so many constraints? (417) ALL THE RED-TAPE COMES FROM US! 1.Every goal, bit of red tape was put in place by Congress, courts, White House or agency itself responding to some influential faction. 2.Sunshine rules: everything in the open. No secret meetings, no hidden files Examples: Civil Rights groups, Environmental groups, lengthy public hearings by lawyer, groups, long processes before awarding contracts to make sure all get fair chance.

IRON TRIANGLE p. 417 Definition: A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee and an interest group

IRON TRIANGLES A.Definition: A relationship between an agency, a congressional committee and an interest group. B. Example: The Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the Senate committee on Veteran’s Affairs, and the American Legion (interest group)

How Iron Triangles Work A. The Department does what the Congressional Committee says and in return get political support and budget appropriations. B. The committee members would do what the veterans’ groups wanted and get votes and campaign contributions.