Chapter 10: Federal Bureaucracy
Section 1
Bureaucratic Organization
Essential Questions
 What is the
major
importance of
the Federal
Bureaucracy?
I CAN:
1. Define the concept of Bureaucracy and
describe its characteristics, structure, and
functions.
2. Explain the concept of a Bureaucrat and
their functions within the government
Bureaucracy  A professional
corps of unelected
officials organized
in a pyramid
hierarchy,
functioning under
impersonal
uniform rules and
procedures.
Bureaucracy
 Offices have
specified missions
and employees are
assigned
responsibility based
on merit,
knowledge, and
experience.
Organization Cont.
bureaucracy
Definition: an administrative system,
especially in a government, that divides work
into specific categories carried out by special
departments of nonelected officials
bureaucracy
• literally
means “rule
by desks”
• government
by clerks
Duty of Bureaucracy
Cabinet Departments
 Most Important
duty: Carry out
the Day-to-Day
business of the
government
 15 cabinet
departments
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
Bureaucrats
 A Civil servant
 Permanent employee
of the government.
Hired on basis of
competitive
examination and merit.
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
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
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/
Demographics of Federal
Employees
Gender
Men
56%
Women
44%
Functions of the Federal
Bureaucracy
1.
2.
3.
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:
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/am_gov/chap6/a0606401.asp
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
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
Agencies
 Similar to cabinet
departments but
usually have a
narrower area of
responsibility
 Ex: NASA, CIA
 Perform services for
the executive
branch
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
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)
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
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
Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy
Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/
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”
Title: The Damages
of the Bureaucracy
Artist: unknown, La
Presna, Panama
Date: May, 2006
Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com
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.
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.
Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class
Artist: Chip Bok
Date: unknown
Source: http://www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif
The President Supervises the
Bureaucracy
The President can:
• appoint & remove
agency heads
• reorganize the
bureaucracy
President Bush speaks about his budget
priorities for FY 2007
• issue executive orders
• reduce an agency's
budget
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
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
Question
 Why do you think that the
organization of
Bureaucracies are so
confusing?
Essential Questions
 What is the
major
importance of
the Federal
Bureaucracy?
Works Cited Page
 http://www.federalbudget.com/chartinfo.html
 www.youthleadership.net
 The Federal Bureaucracy: Examining the
Fourth Branch