Roles of the Bureaucracy Rulemaking –The process of deciding what exactly the laws passed by Congress mean. Adjudication –A process designed to establish whether a rule has been violated. Bureaucratic Lobbying –bureaucrats identify the problems and limitations of existing laws and programs and recommend changes to the president and congressional committees.

The Weberian Model of Bureaucracy The five characteristics of bureaucracy. –Division of labor –Hierarchy –Formal rules –Maintenance of files and records –Professionalization

The Merit System The spoils system The Pendleton Act merit system and the civil service

Neutral Competence The idea of neutral competence Despite stereotypes, most government employees work efficiently and inexpensively. Roughly 2.7 million people work for the government bureaucracy The bureaucracy is largely staffed by people hired for their skills, not their political leanings.

The Structure of American Bureaucracies The Executive Office of the President White House Staff Cabinet Departments Independent Agencies Government Corporations Other Bureaus

Organization of the U.S. Government

Organization of Homeland Security Agencies prior to September 11, 2001

Controlling the Bureaucracy Monitoring Bureaucracy –Oversight Accounting oversight –the audit process ensures that resources are being used appropriately Outcomes oversight –“are we getting what was intended out of this policy?”

Controlling the Bureaucracy, cont. Congress and the Bureaucracies –Oversight –Appropriations - $ –Legislative vetoes (Congressional Review) ex. - resolutions to negate regulations The President and the Bureaucracies –Appointment and dismissal –Budget process –Executive orders The Judiciary and the Bureaucracies –Judicial review