1. Examining the “Fourth Branch” of Federal Government
Bureaucracy Chapter 10
Examining the “Fourth Branch”
of Federal Government

2. Essential Questions
What is the importance of the Federal Bureaucracy?

3. I CAN:
Define the concept of Bureaucracy and describe its characteristics, structure, and functions.
Explain the concept of a Bureaucrat and their functions within the government

4. Bureaucracy -
A professional corps of unelected officials organized in a pyramid hierarchy, functioning under impersonal uniform rules and procedures.

5. Bureaucracy
Offices have specified missions and employees are assigned responsibility based on merit, knowledge, and experience.

6. Organization Cont.

7. bureaucracy
Definition: an administrative system, especially in a government, that divides work into specific categories carried out by special departments of nonelected officials

8. bureaucracy
literally means “rule by desks”
government by clerks

9. Duty of Bureaucracy Most Important duty:
Carry out the Day-to-Day business of the government

10. Bureaucrat A Civil servant
Permanent employee of the government. Hired on basis of competitive examination and merit.

11. The Federal Bureaucracy is:
4 million employees; 2.9 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 - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration

12. Who are the “Bureaucrats?”
97% are career government employees
Only 10% live in the D.C. area
30% work for the D.O.D.
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. Demographics of Federal Employees

14. Bureaucratic Statistics
2.9 million civilians
1.4 million military
4.2 million state
11.4 million local
Total: 19.8 million people work for government

15. Where do Federal Employees Work?
Source: Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

16. What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do?
Source: Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

18. 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)
Source:

19. Federal Bureaucracy Federal Bureaucracy President Congress Executive
Office
of the
President
(Ex: OMB, NSC)
Independent
Regulatory
Commissions
(Ex: FCC, SEC)
Cabinet
Departments
(Ex: State, Defense)
Independent
Executive
Agencies
(Ex: CIA, NASA)
Government Corporations
(Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)

20. The Cabinet Departments
The 15 cabinet departments headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president and approved by the Senate
Each department “expert” in specific policy area
Each department has its own budget
Department of Homeland Security, created in 2002, is newest department

21. Independent Executive Agencies
Established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch
Given a specific mandate and generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one.
Some examples include: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.

22. Independent Agencies
Similar to cabinet departments but usually have a narrower area of responsibility
Ex: NASA, CIA
Perform services for the executive branch

23. Independent Regulatory Commissions
IRCs exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest such as the Federal Communications Commission (public air waves) or Federal Reserve Board (banking system, money supply)
IRCs operate independently from Congress and the President
Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause

24. Regulatory Commissions
Administrative units that have responsibility for the monitoring and regulation of ongoing economic activities
Created to make rules for large industries and businesses that affect public interest
Under intense pressure from lobbyists
Ex: EPA (environment), SEC (stocks and bonds)

25. Government Corporations
Government owned businesses created by Congress
May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need
Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Tennessee Valley Authority, Corporation for Public Broadcasting

26. Government Corporations
Are similar to private organizations in that they can charge for their services but differ in that they receive federal funding
Ex: TVA, USPS, Amtrak

27. Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy
Source: Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

28. Characteristics of a Bureaucracy
administration of government through departments
consists of unelected often highly trained professionals
task specialization
hierarchical authority

29. Public Perceptions of Bureaucracies
impersonal
inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures
may stifle effectiveness and innovation
“red tape”

30. Title: The Damages of the Bureaucracy
Artist: unknown, La Presna, Panama
Date: May, 2006
Source:

31. Criticism of Bureaucracy
I. RED TAPE
too many rigid procedures
too many policies with no flexibility for special circumstances
too many forms to fill out, lines to wait
II. INEFFICIENCY
lack of incentive to be productive
III. DUPLICATION OF SERVICES
bureaucracy is so complicated
agencies are performing similar or 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 both the state and national levels.

32. Criticisms Continued IV. BUREAUCRACY IS LAW MAKER
regulations end up having the effect of law.
duty of implementing laws often allows bureaucrats to interpret those laws.
V. BUREAUCRACY IS TOO BIG
privatization would be more effective
VI. BUREAUCRACY MAY BE CORRUPT
iron triangle -the relationship between the Executive branch, Congress, and interest groups can lead to policy-making decisions which benefit private interests at the expense of the public good.

33. Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class
Artist: Chip Bok
Date: unknown
Source:

34. The President Supervises the Bureaucracy
The President can:
appoint & remove agency heads
reorganize the bureaucracy
issue executive orders
reduce an agency's budget
President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007

35. Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy
Congress can:
create or abolish agencies & departments
cut or reduce funding
investigate agency activities
hold committee hearings
pass legislation that alters an agency's functions
influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments
Former FEMA Chie Michael Brown testifies before
House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina

36. Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy
Federal courts can:
through judicial review rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U.S. Constitution
provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action
Supreme Court of the United States

37. Question
Why do you think that the organization of Bureaucracies are so confusing?

38. Essential Questions
What is the major importance of the Federal Bureaucracy?

39. Works Cited Page http://www.federalbudget.com/chartinfo.html
The Federal Bureaucracy: Examining the Fourth Branch