1. The Federal Bureaucracy Bureaucracy: a large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of government. Deliver mail, collect taxes, defend the nation, administer Social Security, regulate business practices, manage the national forests.... It is an efficient and effective way to organize people [bureaucrats] to do work. Bureaucrats are the implementers of public policy

2. Three Features of a Bureaucracy 1-Hierarchical authority Organization structured like a pyramid: chain of command running from top of pyramid to the base. Few officials at top have authority over those officials at the larger middle level, who direct activities of the many at the bottom. 2-Job specialization Each bureaucrat has certain defined duties and responsibilities. A precise division of labor 3-Formalized rules Bureaucracy does its work according to established regulations and procedures. Set out in writing.

3. Benefits of a Bureaucracy Effective Job specialization promotes efficiency Speeds up action by reducing conflicts over who has the power and authority to make decisions