1. What is a “bureaucracy”?
On a day-to-day basis, the federal bureaucracy carries out much of the work of the U.S. government.
Yet the bureaucracy, sometimes known as “the fourth branch,” is perhaps the least known and understood part of the federal government.
In this lesson, you will investigate which departments and agencies make up the federal bureaucracy, and how they function.
“rule by desks”

2. Enquiry Question: How powerful is the federal bureaucracy?

3. Learning Objectives
To explain the composition of the federal bureaucracy and sources of power
To analyse the problems of presidential control, including the reasons for and consequences of this

5. Characteristics of a bureaucracy
Administration of government through departments
Consists of unelected often highly trained professionals
Task specialization
Hierarchical authority
Impersonal
Inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures
May stifle effectiveness and innovation
Red tape

6. The Federal Bureaucracy Is…
4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants”
President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments)
15 cabinet level departments
200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc.
Biggest - Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration
QUESTIONS:
With 4 million employees in 15 departments and hundreds of independent agencies, are you surprised by the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy?
Why do you think it’s so big?
If the president only appoints about 3% of the federal workforce, how much control do you think he has over the bureaucracy?
Why do you think the Department of Defense is the biggest federal department?

7. Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy
Implementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President
Administration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries)
Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards)

8. US Politics Crash Course
Bureaucracy Basics
Watch the video.
Bureaucracies tend to be associated with unintelligible rules and time-wasting procedures, but they play an important, though controversial, role in governing.
From the FDA to the EPA, these agencies were established to help the government manage and carry out laws much more efficiently - to bring the rule making and enforcement closer to the experts.
But the federal bureaucracy (which is part of the executive branch) has a lot of power and sometimes acts likes Congress in creating regulations and like the courts through administrative adjudications.
It's all a bit problematic for that whole "separation of powers" thing.
So we'll talk about that too, and the arguments for and against increased federal bureaucracy. 

9. Structure of the Federal Bureaucracy

11. Types of Bureaucracies
US Politics Crash Course
Types of Bureaucracies
Watch the video.
Craig Benzine breaks down the different types of bureaucracies. I mean sure, they’re all part of the executive branch, but some work more directly with the president than others.
Some bureaucracies exist solely to independently regulate industry whereas others are expected to operate like corporations and make a profit.
And on top of all that, some of these agencies have sub-agencies! It can all get pretty complicated, so we’ll try to discuss some of the most significant agencies out there and the ones you hear a lot about on the news.
We’ll talk about how they seem to have steadily gained more and more power, and of course, we’ll talk about what all the agencies are for in the first place!

12. Who are the bureaucrats?
97% are career government employees or civil servants
Only 10% live in the D.C. area
30% work for the Department of Defense
Less than 15% work for social welfare agencies
Most are white collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers
Civil employees more diverse demographically than Congress

13. Learning Objectives
To explain the composition of the federal bureaucracy and sources of power
To analyse the problems of presidential control, including the reasons for and consequences of this

14. Oversight of the federal bureaucracy
Thinking Critically
Of the tools at his disposal, what is the most effective check the President has on the bureaucracy? Explain. Congress? The Judiciary?
How does the federal bureaucracy fit with our class definition of “bureaucracy?”
What generalizations can you make about the federal bureaucracy?
Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the fourth branch?”
Some critics believe that the real power in the federal government lies with the federal bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this is true?

15. Controlling Bureaucracies
US Politics Crash Course
Controlling Bureaucracies
Watch the video.
Craig Benzine tells you how we keep bureaucracy in check.
So we've spent the last few episodes telling you all about what bureaucracies are and why they are formed.
And throughout we've hinted about this ever-expanding power within the executive branch.
So today, we're going to finish our discussion of bureaucracy by looking at methods the other branches of government use to manage this power.
From watch-dog organizations to reporting requirements there has been quite a bit of legislation passed aimed at taming the bureaucracy. 

16. Criticisms of bureaucracy
RED TAPE
too many rigid procedures >>> ex: all hiring must be done through OPM
too many policies with no flexibility for special circumstances
too many forms to fill out, lines to wait
INEFFICIENCY
lack of incentive to be productive - no profit motive
DUPLICATION OF SERVICES
bureaucracy is so complicated
agencies are performing similar and sometimes the same functions
Dept. of Commerce overlaps with Dept. of Agriculture, GSA overlaps with Dept. of Interior, etc.
federalism makes this more complicated, many services are provided at the state and national level both
BUREAUCRACY IS LAW MAKER
regulations end up having the effect of law
BUREAUCRACY IS TOO BIG
privatization would be more effective
BUREAUCRACY IS CORRUPT
iron triangle - reveals the relationship between the Executive branch, Congress and private interest groups that can lead to decisions which benefit the private sector at the expense of the government.

17. Iron Triangles
relationship between persons in executive branch (bureaucracy), congressional committees, and special interest groups who are all involved in one area of policy making.
it is a working relationship that can be beneficial because it improves efficiency.
however it can also cause decisions to be made which benefit the special interest group at the expense of the government.
Revolving door - The government-industry revolving door puts industry-friendly experts in positions of decision-making power.
Often individuals rotate between working for industry and working for the government in regulatory capacities, arrangements that are fraught with potential for conflicts of interest.
Watch the video:

18. "Under current law, government officials who make contracting decisions must either wait a year before joining a military contractor or, if they want to switch immediately, must start in an affiliate or division unrelated to their government work. One big loophole is that these restrictions do not apply to many high-level policy makers..., who can join corporations or their boards without waiting."

19. Analysing Political Cartoons
YOUR TASK:
Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the cartoon and analyze what they represent.
What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
What does this cartoon tell us about bureaucracy in general? The federal bureaucracy in particular?

22. Learning Objectives
To explain the composition of the federal bureaucracy and sources of power
To analyse the problems of presidential control, including the reasons for and consequences of this

23. Aims of this booklet:
To identify and explain the functions of the federal bureaucracy
To examine problems commonly identified with the federal bureaucracy
To examine the checks on the power of the federal bureaucracy

24. 4 Pics 1 Word Game
In pairs, select a word each and draw 4 simple images/symbols to illustrate it.
Try to guess the word!
bureaucracy federal bureaucracy bureaucrat implementation administration regulation hierarchy red tape fourth branch civil servant patronage independent regulatory commissions merit system cabinet departments independent executive agencies government corporations spoils system revolving door

25. Homework Application Task:
Explain the ways in which Cheney and Biden can be seen as powerful vice presidents. (15)
Flipped Learning Preparation Task:
Power and Influence of the Cabinet and EOP (Pearson p ) The Cabinet (Bennett p )
EOP (Bennett p )
Stretch & Challenge Task
Bureaucracy and Policy Making