1. Government at Work: the Bureaucracy
Topic 6
Government at Work: the Bureaucracy

2. The Federal Government is a huge organization…
The Federal Government is a huge organization….it is responsible for delivering mail, regulating business practices, collecting taxes, defending our nation, administering social security programs, managing the national forests, exploring outer space, and hundreds of other things on a daily basis.

3. Bureaucracy
Is a large complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization (many refer to it as the “red Tape”). What it is essentially is an efficient and an effective way to organize people to do work.
They are found wherever there are large organizations in both the public and the private sectors of this country. Examples: U.S. Air Force, McDonalds, MTV, Yahoo, School city of Hammond, and even the roman catholic church are all bureaucracies
There are three features (or principles) of a bureaucracy: Hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules

4. Hierarchical Authority
Structured as a pyramid…with a chain of command running from the top of the pyramid on down to its base

5. Job specialization
Each bureaucrat (person who works for the organization) has certain defined duties and responsibilities. A division of labor within the organization

6. Formalized rules
The bureaucracy does its work according to a number of established regulations and procedures. They are set out in written form so they can be known by all who are involved in that work.

7. benefits
It is the most effective way for people to work together on large and complex tasks, whether public or private.
Speed action by reducing conflicts over who has the power and the appropriate authority to make decisions
Promotes efficiency
Workers can act with speed and precision because decisions are based on a set of known standards and expectations

8. President’s executive cabinet
One aspect of the executive branch of government is the president’s cabinet (15 executive departments that aide the president). You will be responsible for knowing all 15 departments

9. State Department 1789 Advises the president on foreign policy
Negotiates agreements with foreign countries
Represents the united states abroad and in international organizations

10. Department of Defense
Provides military forces to deter war and protect the nation’s security

11. Treasury department 1789 Produces coins and bills
Borrows money and manages public debt
Collects taxes

12. Justice department 1789
Prosecutes those accused of violating federal law
Provides legal advice to the president
Operates federal prisons
Attorney general

13. Department of the interior 1849
Manages public lands, wildlife refuges, and national parks
Operates hydroelectric power plants
Helps Native Americans manage their affairs

14. Department of agriculture 1889
Assists farmers and ranchers
Administers food stamp and school lunch programs
Inspects food and ensures quality standards
Manages national forests

15. Department of commerce 1903
Promotes international trade, economic growth, and technological development
Grants patents and registers trademarks
Conducts census

16. Department of labor 1913
Enforces federal laws on minimum wages, maximum hours, and safe working conditions
Administers unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation programs

17. Department of health and human services 1953
Funds healthcare research programs
Conducts programs to prevent and control disease
Enforces pure foods and drug laws
Administers Medicare and Medicaid

18. Department of housing and urban development 1965
Operates home financing and public housing programs
Enforces fair housing laws

19. Department of transportation 1967
Administers programs to promote and regulate highways, mass transit, railroads, waterways, air travel, and oil and gas pipelines
Department of transportation

20. Department of energy 1977
Promotes production of renewable energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy
Transmits and sells hydroelectric power
Conducts nuclear weapons research and production

21. Department of education 1979
Administers federal aid to schools
Ensures equal access to education
Conducts educational research
Department of education 1979

22. Department of veterans affairs 1989
Administers benefits, pensions, and medical programs for veterans of the armed forces
Oversees military cemeteries

23. Department of homeland security 2002
Ensures border and transportation security
Develops emergency preparedness and response programs
Safeguards national infrastructure and information systems