Chapter 13 THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY

The Federal Bureaucracy After 9/11/01 For much of 1990s, anger at and disrespect for the federal government was rampant in the United States. Perhaps the most dramatic manifestation of this was the terrorist bombing of the Federal Center in Oklahoma City (April 1995). In fact, anti-federal-government anger has a long history in the United States. However, national crises diminish these feelings, as citizens look to the government for aid and protection. For example, after 9/11, popular trust in the government rose from 21% to 64%.

A Comparative View of the American Bureaucracy The American bureaucracy is different from bureaucracies in other democratic nations. –Structural influences such as the American political culture and the constitutional rules of the game have a great deal to do with these differences. Hostile political culture — Americans do not trust government and they do not think it can accomplish most tasks that are assigned to it. Civil Servants have little prestige; many of the most talented tend to stay away.

Incoherent organization — the American bureaucracy has few clear lines of control, responsibility, and accountability Divided control — bureaucratic agencies have two bosses, the President and Congress, who are constantly battling for control Accessibility — individuals and groups can get a hearing and a response from bureaucrats without necessarily starting at the top

Transformation of the Bureaucracy Administrative history: expansion in the size and responsibilities of the executive branch –19th century changes –The corporation and the progressives –The Great Depression –World War II and its aftermath –The regulatory state –Devolution and rollback –The war on terrorism

How the Executive Branch Is Organized The executive branch is made up several different kinds of administrative units. –Departments are headed by cabinet-level secretaries appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. –Bureaus and agencies are subdivisions within cabinet departments. –Independent executive agencies are federal agencies that are not included in any of the departments and are not corporations or regulatory commissions.

What Do Bureaucrats Do? Execute the law Regulate (rule making) Adjudicate

Who Are The Bureaucrats? Personnel systems in the executive branch –Career civil service –Agency merit services –Political appointees Overall, “bureaucrats” are very much like other Americans with regard to education, regional origins, average income, age, political beliefs, gender,and ethnicity.

Political and Governmental Influences on Bureaucratic Behavior The Public The President –Why Presidents are often stymied by the bureaucracy –Tools of Presidential leadership Congress –Legislating agency organization and mission –Confirming Presidential appointments –Controlling the agency budget –Holding oversight hearings Interest groups

Common Criticisms of the Federal Bureaucracy “The federal bureaucracy is always expanding.” “The federal bureaucracy is ineffective.” “The federal bureaucracy is wasteful and inefficient.” “The bureaucracy is mired in red tape.”

Reforming the Federal Bureaucracy Scaling back the size of the bureaucracy –cutting the “fat” –privatizing “Reinventing government” Protecting against bureaucratic abuses of power Increasing popular participation Increasing Presidential control