Bureaucracy

The Federal BureaucracyThe Fourth Branch of

Government

Wilson- Chapter 13

Our American Bureaucracy

• The agencies, departments, commissions, etc. in the Executive Branch

• Executive Office of the President• Cabinet• Independent Agencies

– Organized like Cabinet depts., but lack cabinet status– NASA, SBA, FEMA

• Govt Corporations– Post Office, FDIC, TVA


• Independent Regulatory Commissions– Created by Congress to regulate important aspects of

the nation’s economy– Decisions are usually beyond presidential control

(though Commissioners are appointed by the president)1. Commissioners. Serve long terms (5-14 years)2. Only a bare majority of commissioners can be of

same party3. Staggered terms4. Commish can only be fired by Prez for causes

Congress has specified


• Independent Regulatory Commissions Continued– Commish has quasi-legislative power. Rules and

regulations which have the force of law.– Quasi-judicial power: settle disputes in their fields (FCC

fines of Howard Stern)– Some commissions:

• Federal Reserve Board• FCC• NLRB• FEC• SEC• FTC

Growth of the Bureaucracy

• Spoils system prior to late 19th Century

• Assassination of Prez. Garfield by disappointed office seeker in 1881 led to passage of Pendleton Act– Civil service created with exam-based merit

system– Today, 90% of fed employees are civil service


• Size– 3 million plus– Fairly consistent # since the 50s

• Does this mean bureaucrats are just more efficient since there are more programs and responsibilities?

• Why or why not?


• Power– Discretionary Authority: Agencies have the

power to choose various courses of action when Congress writes broadly-worded laws

– Passing rules and regulations– Help Congress draft legislation– Advice to the WH– Settle disputes


• Reasons for Growth:– National growth– Technology– International Crises (Defense Dept)– Welfare Nation– Agencies perpetuate their own survival

Bureaucratic behavior

• Recruitment and retention– Appointed by merit system exam

• Ways around this (job qualification only one person can fill, temp appointment, lower job w/ responsibilities)

– Bonus pts for vets, race, gender– Difficult to fire


• Recruitment and retention– Impact of policies

• Loyalty to agency• Continuity of agency behavior• Expertise• Managers must have support of

subordinates


• Personal Attributes– Representative of American people– Upper level: middle aged white males– Tendency to be more liberal– Activist agency workers are more liberal

(EPA)– 30% in Defense– Less than 15% in welfare


• Legal Constraints– Freedom of Information Act– Hatch Act: limits political activity of

Bureaucrats– Affirmative Action– Environmental Impact reports on projects

Controlling the Bureaucracy

• Presidential Influence– Appoint/ Fire top-level– Propose reorganization of exec. Branch– Propose Agency budgets– 7000 senior appointments

• Checks on Prez influence– Senate confirmation– Congress approves reorganization– Congress approves budgets

Controlling the Bureaucracy• Congressional Influences

– Appropriations of agency budgets– Standing Committee oversight– Reorganization– Appointment confirmation– Sunset laws give agencies limited life

• Checks on Congressional influence– Members benefit from agencies in state/district– Easier to have bur. work out details of laws– No legislative veto

Controlling the Bureaucracy• Interest Group Influence

– Revolving door– Client groups– Iron Triangles (Congressional Comm, Relevant

Agency, Interest Group)• Media Influence• Courts• Privatization of some aspects (Concessions in

national parks)• Gore’s 1993 National Performance Review

Weberian Model

Weber’s essential features of a bureaucracy:• Hierarchical Authority Structure

– power flows from top down and responsibility from the bottom up

• Task Specialization• Extensive Rules• Merit Principle• Impersonality

How would you evaluate the Bureaucracy?

Business

Bureaucracy