Chapter 15: THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY Examining the “Fourth Branch”

Bureaucracy Bureau is French for “small desk”. Bureaucracy literally means “government of small desks”. Large, complex organization of appointed, not elected officials. Max Weber (20 th century German economist) ~ bureaucracy is the rational way to run a government.

Who are bureaucrats? 1 out of 100 Americans work for the government bureaucracy 4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants” President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments) 15 cabinet level departments 97% are career government employees, 30% work for the D.O.D. Most are white collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers 200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc. Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration Examples  Amtrak  Interstate Commerce Commission  Federal Trade Commission  Securities and Exchange Commission  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Hierarchical authority structure – chain of command Task specialization – individuals have unique jobs, division of labor Extensive rules – clear policies for the organization to follow Clear goals – clearly defined mission Hierarchical authority structure – chain of command Task specialization – individuals have unique jobs, division of labor Extensive rules – clear policies for the organization to follow Clear goals – clearly defined mission

Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy 1. Implementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President 2. Administration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries) 3. Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards) Munn v. Illinois (1877) – SC upheld that government had the right to regulate business rates and services 1. Implementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President 2. Administration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries) 3. Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards) Munn v. Illinois (1877) – SC upheld that government had the right to regulate business rates and services

The Cabinet Departments The 15 cabinet departments are headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. Each department is the “expert” in specific policy area. Each department has its own budget that is approved by Congress each year. The Department of Homeland Security (2002) is newest department.

Secretary Deputy Secretary Under Secretary Science and Technology Under Secretary Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Under Secretary Border & Transportation Security Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and Response Under Secretary Management Inspector General Director of the Secret Service (1) Commandant of Coast Guard (1) Director, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (1) General Counsel State and Local Coordination Special Assistant to the Secretary (private sector) National Capital Region Coordination Shared Services Citizenship & Immigration Service Ombudsman (1) Legislative Affairs Public Affairs Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff Privacy Officer Executive Secretary International Affairs Counter Narcotics Small & Disadvantaged Business

Independent Executive Agencies Established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch Given a specific mandate and generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one. Some examples include: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.

Independent Regulatory Commissions IRC’s exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest such as the Federal Communications Commission or Federal Reserve Board. IRC’s operate independently from Congress and the President. Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause.

Government Corporations Government owned businesses created by Congress. May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need. Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Accountability Bureaucracy is constrained and controlled by the US government Congress –Appropriates money, authorizes the spending of money, oversees agency activity, create/abolish agencies. President –Job appointments, executive orders, budget control, reorganize agencies. Supreme Court –Judicial review of bureaucracies actions, due process.

Controlling the Bureaucracy  Patronage - Rewarding supporters with jobs  Pendleton Act (1883) –Created in response to criticism of patronage, more jobs will be selected based on merit  Hatch Act (1939) – Agency employees can’t participate in political activities (elections, campaigns, fund raisers, etc.) – Softened in recent decades b/c of 1 st Amendment issues.

Public Perceptions and Criticism of Bureaucracies “Red tape” – maze of government rules, regulations, and paperwork that makes government overwhelming to citizens Conflict – agencies that often work toward opposite goals Duplication – agencies appear to do the same thing Unchecked growth – agencies expand unnecessarily at high costs Waste – spending more than necessary Lack of accountability – difficult in firing an incompetent bureaucrat

Max Weber on Bureaucracy 1.Specification of jobs with detailed rights, obligations, responsibilities, scope of authority 2.System of supervision and subordination 3.Unity of command 4.Extensive use of written documents 5.Training in job requirements and skills 6.Application of consistent and complete rules (company manual) 7.Assign work and hire personnel based on competence and experience 1.Specification of jobs with detailed rights, obligations, responsibilities, scope of authority 2.System of supervision and subordination 3.Unity of command 4.Extensive use of written documents 5.Training in job requirements and skills 6.Application of consistent and complete rules (company manual) 7.Assign work and hire personnel based on competence and experience

Iron Triangles CONGRESS A three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.

How does it work? Everyone in the triangle has a similar interest. Legislators get funding from interest groups and make laws reality with the help of the bureaucracy Interest groups provide valued information to bureaucrats and money to legislators Bureau chiefs implement legislator policy and interest group goals.