The Invisible Government

Bureaucracy A large organization structured hierarchically to carry out specific functions to make it more efficient Bureaucrat A person who works for an organization, has defined duties and responsibilities. I love Logan

The Federal Bureaucracy What is the federal bureaucracy?

The Federal Bureaucracy is:  4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants”  President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments)  15 cabinet level departments  200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc.  Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration

Bureaucrats at Work

The Federal Bureaucracy How is the federal bureaucracy organized?

White House Office National Security Council (NSA) Office of Management and Budget Executive Office 15 Total Departments State, Treasury, Interior, Defense (largest!), Homeland Security (newest!) Cabinet Departments Independent Executive Agencies Independent Regulatory Agencies Government Corporations Agencies and Corporations 2.7 million people Hired to do the workings of the Federal government Civil Service

Organization of the U.S. Government

The Executive Office of the President Why it matters? Composed of President’s closest advisors and several support agencies Chief executive’s right arm in formation and execution of public policies White House Office Nerve center for entire executive branch Most trusted advisors National Security Council Advises president on national security Help president formulate foreign policy based on president’s priorities Office of Management and Budget Prepare federal budget submitted to Congress Allocated to programs according to President’s priorities

The Cabinet Departments Why it matters? Carry out much of the Federal Government’s work Heads of departments frequently meet with the President and other officials as the Cabinet The Cabinet Headed by Secretary (or Attorney General) President appoints (confirmed by Senate) Administrative head of one of the executive departments Examples: Secretary of Interior (land, water, wildlife, energy) Sally Jewell Secretary of State (foreign policy) John Kerry

Agencies and Corporations Why it matters? 150 executive branch agencies not located in 15 departments – don’t always fit in departments Created to protect agencies from political party pressures Perform a variety of different functions Independent Executive Agencies Include most agencies Organized like Cabinet departments But DO NOT have same status Examples: Civil Rights Commission Federal Election Commission Independent Regulatory Commissions Beyond reach of presidential control Structured by Congress 10 total agencies Created to regulate nation’s economy Examples: Security Exchange Commission (SEC) Federal Reserve Government Corporations Subject to Presidential control Set up like a private corporation Produce income that is put back into the business Examples: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Post Office

Civil Service People who perform administrative work for government Not appointed by the President, but hired separately Development: Patronage: Giving jobs to supporters and friends (Jefferson) Spoils System: Giving offices and other favors of government to political supporters and friends (Jackson) The Office of Personnel Management Central clearinghouse in federal recruiting, examining, and hiring process Why it matters?

Exit Ticket Define bureaucracy in your own words. What are positives and negatives to this? Give one example for each.