1. 6-3: Implementation of policy and regulation

2. Big Idea: Competing Policymaking Interests
Enduring Understanding:
The federal bureaucracy is a powerful institution implementing federal policies with sometimes questionable accountability.
Learning Objective:
Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule-making and implementation.

3. Implementing Policy
Implementation—translation of policy goals into rules and procedures
Congress provides general mandate
Bureaucracy sets specific guidelines
Growth of Bureaucratic Authority
Subsidies
Grants
Regulations
Breakdown of Implementation
Conflicting goals
Lack of funding
Fragmentation of responsibilities

4. Regulation and Rule-making
Use of governmental authority to control or change practices
Reasons for regulations
Consumer protection
Ensure legal practices
Reduce subordination/discrimination
Bureaucratic Discretion

5. Iron Triangles (sub-governments)
Alliance between an administrative agency, interest group lobbyists, and a congressional committee
Provision of key services for the others
Example—“Military-Industrial Complex”
Defense contractors lobby Congress
Congress authorizes excessive military spending
Dept. of Defense awards contracts to favored companies
Armed Services Committee lenient on oversight
Contractors make more money to aid in Congressional reelection bids

6. Issue network
Coalitions of interest groups, members of Congress, bureaucrats, media pundits, and political staff members who regularly discuss an issue
Presidents often fill agency positions from issue networks
Example—Pollution
Large factory barely earning a profit
Adopting environmental regulations would bankrupt the company
Job loss (including contracted jobs like drivers, suppliers, etc.)
Local government loses primary tax base
Environmental groups contrary opinions
What is the regulatory agency to do?

7. De-regulation Criticisms of Bureaucracies
Red Tape—complex rules and procedures
Conflict—contradictory goals
Duplication—doing the same thing (wasteful spending)
Growth of government
Critics advocate for free-market solutions
Competition is all the regulation that is needed