AP GOV - Unit 2, Chapter 7 The Bureaucracy

The Bureaucracy

A system of government agencies, departments, and commissions that enforce laws and policies.

Bureaucrats

Unelected officials responsible for implementing, administering, and regulating federal policies.

The bureaucracy is often called…

…the “fourth branch of government” due to its influence on policy.

Cabinet Departments

15 major departments headed by secretaries who advise the president (e.g., Department of State, Department of Defense).

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Agencies that regulate industries and enforced rules (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Communications Commission).

Government Corporations

Run like businesses but are owned by the government (e.g., the U.S. Postal Service and Amtrak).

Independent Executive Agencies

Oversee specialized functions (e.g., NASA, CIA, EPA).

Rulemaking

Agencies write regulations that have the power of law.

Implementation

Bureaucratic agencies carry out and enforced laws passed by Congress.

Discretionary Authority

Agents can decide how to enforce laws, allowing them to interpret congressional intent.

Pendleton Act (1883)

Established the merit system, ending the spoils system and requiring government jobs to be awarded based on qualifications.

Hatch Act (1939)

Limited political activities of federal employees to prevent partisan influence in the bureaucracy.

Civil Service Reform Act (1978)

Modernized the bureaucracy and created the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to oversee hiring.

Bureaucracy growth due to…

-New Deal programs

-World War II

-Great Society Programs

Congressional Oversight

-Power of the Purse: Congress controls the funding of agencies.

-Hearings and Investigations: Congress can question agency heads and demand accountability.

-Rewriting Legislation: Congress can alter laws to change bureaucratic authority.

Presidential Oversight

-Appointments: The president’s top bureaucratic officials

-Executive Orders: The president can direct agencies on how to enforce laws.

-Reorganization: The president can propose restructuring the bureaucracy.

Judicial Oversight

The Supreme Court can label agency actions unconstitutional.

Red Tape

Excessive regulations and complex rules that slow down decision-making.

Iron Triangles

A close relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups that shapes policy.

Issue Networks

Looser, more fluid alliances of interest groups, bureaucrats, and policymakers that influence policy.

Whistleblower Protection Act (1989)

Protects bureaucrats who expose corruption or inefficiency.

Chevron v. NRDC (1984)

Established the Chevron deference, allowing agencies to interpret vague laws unless their interpretation is unreasonable.

Munn v. Illinois (1877)

Upheld state regulation of businesses that affect public interest, setting a precedent for government regulation.