Unit 6 Chapter 10, Sections 2-3 Civil Service System Bureaucracy at Work Mr. Young

Video XCFLe4&feature=fvwrel XCFLe4&feature=fvwrel Dilbert: Management Book

Section 2: Essential Question What are the similarities/differe- nces between the Civil Service System and the Spoils System?

Spoils System Victorious politicians rewarding their followers with government jobs “To the victor goes the spoils.” Needed to rotate people in office, could cause tyranny if in office too long Inefficiency and corruption grew Needed experts in key positions, but were filled with family or friends instead

Civil Service System Practice of Government employment on the basis of open, competitive examination and merit Created when Congress passed the Pendleton Act in 1883 Have helped increase competition and allowed qualified people to be in charge Impossible to fire someone, easier to promote them to something different

Similarities in the two People are given special preference (veterans) (family and supporters) Incompetent people in both scenarios When it comes to hiring/firing people, go from one extreme to the next

Section 3: Essential Question How do you think that the Iron Triangle affects the way Congress functions as a corporate body?

Bureaucracy at Work Public Policy- whatever action the government decides to take (or not to take) In theory, bureaucrats only carry out policy decisions In practice, bureaucrats help make policies

5 ways they influence policies 1. Issue rules and regulations that put law into motion 2. More than 50,000 pages of agency regulations are filed a year 3. Draft new bills for Congress, testify about legislation, provide lawmakers with technical info 4. Decide disputes over application of laws or a set of rules (act like courts) 5. Provide advice to top political decisions

5 reasons why Bureaucracy makes Policies 1. As the nation grows, government needs to grow to meet its needs 2. As international crisis emerge, so does the bureaucracy (Homeland Security) 3. As the economy gets worse, some believe the FG is responsible to help those that are less fortunate 4. Citizen demand through client groups (individuals or groups who work with the agency and are most affected by its decisions) 5. Federal Bureaucracies almost never die once they are created for a specific need

Iron Triangle A small and informal but relatively stable group of government agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups who seek to promote policies beneficial to a particular interest For Example: Department of Veteran Affairs (bureaucrats) Veteran’s affairs committee in Congress (legislators) Veteran’s groups such as American Legion (lobbyists/interest groups)

Iron Triangle When these groups work together to make public policy. Program administration