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THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY Examining the “Fourth Branch”
bureaucracy
• literally
means “rule
by desks”
• government
by clerks
bureaucracy Definition: an administrative
system, especially in a
government, that divides work
into specific categories carried
out by special departments of
nonelected officials
Characteristics of a Bureaucracy
• administration of government through departments
• consists of unelected often highly trained professionals
• task specialization
• hierarchical authority
Public Perceptions
of Bureaucracies
• impersonal
• inclined to follow
rigid or complex
procedures
• may stifle
effectiveness and
innovation
• “red tape”
The Federal Bureaucracy
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What is the federal bureaucracy?
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 - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration
The Federal Bureaucracy
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What does the federal bureaucracy do?
Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy
1. Implementation - carry out laws of
Congress, executive orders of the President
2. Administration - routine administrative
work; provide services (ex: SSA sends
social security checks to beneficiaries)
3. Regulation - issue rules and regulations
that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean
air standards)
Source: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/am_gov/chap6/a0606401.asp
The Federal Bureaucracy
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How is the federal bureaucracy organized?
The Federal Bureaucracy
Consists of
1. Cabinet Departments
2. Independent Executive Agencies
3. Independent Regulatory Commissions
4. Government Corporations
Federal Bureaucracy
President Congress
Executive
Office
of the
President (Ex: OMB, NSC)
Government Corporations (Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)
Independent
Regulatory
Commissions (Ex: FCC, SEC)
Independent
Executive
Agencies
(Ex: CIA, NASA)
Cabinet
Departments (Ex: State, Defense)
Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
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
Secretary ----------------------------------
Deputy Secretary
Under Secretary
Science and Technology
Under Secretary
Information Analysis and
Infrastructure Protection
Under Secretary
Border &
Transportation Security
Under Secretary
Emergency
Preparedness and
Response
Under Secretary
Management
Inspector General
Director of the
Secret Service (1)
Commandant of
Coast Guard (1)
Director, Bureau of Citizenship
& Immigration Services (1)
General Counsel
State and Local Coordination
Special Assistant to the Secretary
(private sector)
National Capital Region Coordination
Shared Services
Citizenship &
Immigration Service
Ombudsman (1)
Legislative Affairs
Public Affairs
Civil Rights and
Civil Liberties
Department of Homeland Security
Chief of Staff
Privacy Officer
Executive Secretary
International Affairs
Counter Narcotics
Small & Disadvantaged
Business
Note (1): Effective March 1st, 2003
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.
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
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
Who works for the federal government?
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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
Where do Federal Employees
Work?
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
What Jobs Do Bureaucrats
Do?
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/
Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
Who supervises the
federal bureaucracy?
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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
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 Chief Michael Brown testifies before
House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina
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
The Bureaucracy of Pizza
Thinking Critically
1. Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the
fourth branch?”
2. 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?
Title: The Damages of the
Bureaucracy
Artist: unknown, La
Presna, Panama
Date: May, 2006
Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com
Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class
Artist: Chip Bok
Date: unknown Source: http://www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif
Title: Another Layer of Bureaucracy
Artist: Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant
Date: February, 2006 Source: : http://www.politicalcartoons.com
Title: FEMA’s Follies
Artist: Mike Keefe, The Denver Post
Date: April, 2006 Source: http://www.cagle.com/news/FEMASFollies/main.asp