The Bureaucracy, the “fourth branch of government” AGPT Ch. 14

Bureaucracy A large organization that is structured hierarchically to carry out specific functions. Exist in both private and public spheres Three models: Weberian: rational, topdown organizations Acquisitive: Bureaucrats always seeking more Monopolistic: Bureacracies are like monopolistic firms, no competition, no incentive to be efficient

US Federal Bureaucracy…. Enjoys a greater degree of autonomy than in most other countries …Is powerful, includes a number of administrative agencies, or government units that perform specific functions, that control extensive enterprises

The Size of the Bureaucracy Has grown exponentially since 1789 The costs of the bureaucracy now account for 40% of government spending

Executive Branch: 4 types of bureaucratic structures 1. Cabinet Departments—directly accountable to the President and are responsible for government functions 2. Independent executive agencies—non- department agencies that also report directly to the President 3. Independent Regulatory Agencies—typically responsible for a specific public policy 4. Government corporations—quasi-business enterprises

Independent Executive Agencies Report to the President Includes: CIA (1947) National Science Foundation (NSF, 1950) Small Business Administration (1953) NASA (1958) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1970)

Independent Regulatory Agencies Operate independently of all three branches of government, yet typically combine functions of all three: make rules, enforce rule, decide disputes Examples: Federal Reserve Board (1913); Federal Trade Commission (1914); Securities and Exchange Commission (1934); National Labor Relations Board (1935); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (1964)

Government Corporations These are quasi-businesses; they have board of directors and managers, but not stockholders. Includes: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC,1933) National Railroad Passenger Corp. (AMTRAK) U.S. Postal Service (Both 1970)

Staffing the bureaucracy Two Categories: Political appointees and civil servants Political appointees likened to aristocrats Civil servants hard to fire, see p. 422

A Brief History of the Federal Civil Service From natural aristocracy ( )….to the spoils system under Andrew Jackson (1828)…to the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 based on merit system and creating the Civil Service Commission (CSC)…to the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 which abolished the CSC and replaced it with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit System Protections Board (MSPB)

Federal Employees and Political Campaigns: The Hatch Act Hatch Act (Political Activities Act) of 1939 prohibits the use of federal authority to influence nominations and elections or the use of rank to pressure federal employees to make political contributions. It also prohibits civil service employees from active involvement in political campaigns. Amended in 1993 with the passing of the Federal Employees Political Activity Act.

Modern Attempts at Bureaucratic Reform Government in the Sunshine Act, 1976: A law that requires all multiheaded federal agencies to conduct their business regularly in the public session. Sunset Legislation: A law requiring that an existing program be reviewed regularly for its effectiveness and be terminated unless specifically extended as a result of this review.

Reform cont. Privatization: The replacement of government services with services provided by private firms. Increasing efficiency (limited success); protection of whistleblowers (1989, see also p. 441) Devolution: taking power away from national level bureaucracy and giving to states

Bureaucrats as Politicians and Policymakers Congress is unable to oversee day to day administration of its programs, so it passes enabling legislation: statutes that authorize the creation of an administrative agency and specifies the name, purpose, composition, functions, and powers of the agency being created. Ex. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA Act, 1970)

As policymakers Iron triangles: Three way alliances among legislators, bureaucrats and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests, Ex. Tobacco subsidies Issue Networks: groups of individuals and organizations that support a particular policy position on a given issue, such as the environemts

Can Congress control the federal bureaucracy? Congress passes “enabling legislation” for many of these agencies and also controls the purse strings through the General Accounting Office General Accounting Office: is in charge of monitoring the proper spending of federal monies

Kaplan’s 6 things to know 1. Most dramatic change in US Govt has been the creation and growth of the bureaucracy 2.The bureaucracy has been given powers similar to those of the Congress, the president, and the federal courts 3. The bureaucracy is both hated and loved. It is hated for its presence and the image of distance from the voters (I’d add inefficiency). It is loved for its creation of jobs and the solving of large, complex problems.

6 things… 4. Bureaucracies are controlled by powerful and interlocking groups that benefit from the very existence of federal programs. 5. Federal agencies are present in numerous policy-making capacities, from military defense to environmental protection. 6. Although the powers of federal agencies are controversial, the bureaucracy plays a key role in the attempt to fill the needs of the public.