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.

Distinct characteristics of our U.S. bureaucracy 1.Authority is split between the Pres. and Congress 2.Shared functions with states and related agencies Ex: Labor Depart. sends money to cities for job training. 3.Adversarial culture: every agency regulation faces challenges in court. EPA or OSHA are examples.

Events that led to a change in the role of bureaucracy (from serving to regulating) A.The Great Depression 1. Gov’t was expected to plan a role in dealing with economic and social problems. 2. Example: Social Security 2. World War II 1. Large increase in income taxes to pay for war led to more administrators in D.C. Large war economy allowed for more gov’t. 2. Example: The Pentagon

Hiring a bureaucrat (p.408) 1.Some take a test administered by the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) 2.Some are hired based on needs of the agency, educ. Of employee. (lawyer, scientist) 3. Need to make a diverse work force.

Federal Bureaucracy Today (p. 406) A.Numbers don’t mean Presidents have reduced employees 1. Does not consider those who work indirectly for the government 2. Each department has reduced its #’s from 1990 to 2007 except DOJ

B. Amount of “discretionary authority” 1. Authority to choose courses or action and to make policy not spelled out in law 2. Congress has delegated this in 3 ways a. paying out subsidies (farmer,veterans) b. transferring money to states (grants) c. devising regulations for different sectors of society and economy (safety features, tv broadcast regulations)

Firing a bureaucrat(p.412) 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 p Before adopting any new rules notice must be given and hearings held. All meetings must be held in public. 2.Gov’t agencies cannot hire,fire,build or sell without going through procedures 3.Duplication: Rarely is any job given to a single agency. Find examples p. 416

Why are there so many constraints? P Because of us. Every rule, constraint, red tape was added to protect us. 2. We do not trust gov’t. Everything must be in the open with long lengthy hearings so that all have an equal chance. 3. Civil rights groups want more women and minorities hired, environmental groups want environmental impact statements, industries being regulated want lengthy public hearings with lawyers.

IRON TRIANGLES p.417 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.

III. Independent Agencies A.Reasons for independent agencies 1. Do no fit within a cabinet (GSA) 2. Protection from influence of both partisan or pressure politics (soc.sec.) 3. Peculiar and sensitive functions (CIA)

III. Independent Agencies (cont.) B. Independent Regulatory Commissions 1. Beyond reach of presidential control 2. Ten created to regulate or police economy. (pg 447) 3. Structure a. Terms are staggered so Pres. can only pick so many b. Only bare majority can be from one party. c. Can only be removed for cause.

III. Independent Agencies (cont.) C. Have many powers 1. Quasi-executive: administer rules 2. Quasi-legislative: write rules 3. Quasi-judicial: punishes if rule broken Examples: FCC makes rules about cuss words, enforces rules if use cuss works over airwaves, punishes you for doing it.

Test Review Investigative power of Legislature: (p. 420) Essay Question: 1.Independence of agencies 2.What contributes to the independence of bureaucracy 3.How can bureaucracy be checked?