1. The Bureaucracy

2. Types of bureaucratic agencies
The Cabinet
Regulatory agencies
Government corporations
Independent executive agencies

3. Functions of Bureaucracies
Large administrative agencies
Hierarchical authority
job specialization
Driven by rules and regulations
6 primary functions:
Recognizable division of labor – skilled workers – specialized function to increase productivity.
Allocation of function – tasks assigned and defined
Allocation of responsibility – each task is understood by the workers and can not be changed with out approval
Direct and indirect supervision
Control of the full time worker
Workers careers are synonymous with organization

4. Accountability Constitution Federal laws
Dictates of the 3 branches of government
Superiors
Public interest
Interest groups

5. Cabinet 15 departments headed by a secretary
Appointed by the president + consent of the Senate
They manage specific policy areas, and each has its own budget.

6. Regulatory agencies Independent regulatory agencies Quasi legislative
Quasi Judicial
“Alphabet agencies”
Examples:
Interstate Commerce Commission
Federal Trade Commission
Food and Drug Administration
Federal Communications Commission
Securities and Exchange Commission
Environmental Protection Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Federal Election Commission

7. Government corporations
Example: TVA (New Deal) or Resolution Trust Corporations
Created to deal with bankruptcies and many failures

8. Independent executive agencies
Ex: General Services Administration
Handles government purchasing
Specific responsibilities that facilitate the day to day operation of the government.

9. Congressional Oversight
Agency heads are called before congressional committees to testify about issues related to the workings of the agency.
Improve the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of governmental operations
Evaluate programs and performance
Detect and prevent poor administration
Protect civil liberties and constitutional rights
Inform the general public
Gather information to develop new legislative proposals