The Federal Bureaucracy Chapter 14

The Bureaucracy Hierarchical power structure Power flows down Bureaucracy – structure which uses Hierarchical power structure Power flows down Responsibility flows up Task specialization

The Bureaucracy Merit principle Hiring by ability Bureaucracy – structure which uses Merit principle Hiring by ability Advancement by actions Impersonality Keeps everyone on a level playing field

The Bureaucrats Myths Americans dislike bureaucrats We like the bureaucrats we come in contact with We dislike “bureaucracy” Bureaucracies are getting bigger every year Federal bureaucracies are not State and local bureaucracies are

The Bureaucrats Myths Most bureaucrats are in Washington DC  FALSE They are ineffective Inefficient Bound by red tape Most tasks carried out by governments are non- controversial  TRUE

The Bureaucrats Civil Servants Demographics Representative of the general population Also mirrors diversity within the private- sector

The Bureaucrats Civil Servants Patronage Who you know Hiring Promotion Pendleton Civil Service Act Spurred on by assassination of President Garfield Established merit system

The Bureaucrats Civil Servants Patronage Hatch Act Prohibits political activity by civil servants while on duty Allows most civil servants to engage in political activity during own time

The Bureaucrats Hiring Office of Personnel Management In charge of hiring Applicants Take a test Names sent to agencies which might employ them

The Bureaucrats Hiring Office of Personnel Management Pay GS scale Pay rating Super GS Top of the top Senior Executive Service

The Bureaucrats Hiring Office of Personnel Management Protection After tenure Protects career civil servants from political swings

The Bureaucrats Political Appointees President appointees Executive talent Political skills Favors presidential policy positions

The Bureaucrats Political Appointees Often transient Depend on career bureaucrats They know more They’ve been there longer and will remain after Studies show they don’t hinder presidential programs

The Bureaucrats How the Federal Bureaucracy is Organized Cabinet Departments 15 departments Headed by secretaries (except DOJ  Attorney General) Nominated by president Confirmed by Senate Differences Manages own policy area Own budget Own staff

The Bureaucrats How the Federal Bureaucracy is Organized Independent Regulatory Commissions Protect the public interest Governed by commissioners Nominated by president Confirmed by Senate

The Bureaucrats How the Federal Bureaucracy is Organized Independent Regulatory Commissions Cannot be fired except for “just cause” Agency capture Interest groups Woo members of agency Exert extreme influence on regulations

The Bureaucrats How the Federal Bureaucracy is Organized Government Corporations Provide service that private sector could provide Cheaper than private sector Examples Post office Amtrak