The Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy

The term used to refer to the agencies of the federal government. The agencies, programs, and services are largely, though not exclusively, housed in the executive branches of government. It also refers to an organizational framework and has negative connotations.

Characteristics of Bureaucracy

1. A broad mission to implement the decision of government

2. A common form of organizational structure

The Weberian Model of Bureaucracy

1. Division of Labor

2. Hierarchy

3. Maintenance of files/records

4. Professionalization

Spoil System

A system of governing in which political position and benefits are given to the friends of the winner. Job depended on whom rather than what you knew.

Merit System

 A system of governing in which jobs are given based on relevant technical expertise and the ability to perform.

Neutral Competence

The idea that agencies should make decisions based on expertise rather than political considerations. 

5 Basic categories of Public Agency

1. Executive office of the President (EOP)

2. Cabinet Departments

3. Independent Agencies

4. Government Corporations

5. Miscellaneous Bureaus

Top Hierarchy of Public Agencies 

1. Executive Office of the president (EOP)

2. Cabinet Departments 

Executive Office of the President (EOP) 

The organizational structure in the executive branch houses the president's most influential advisors and agencies. The most important include the White House Office, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the National Security Council, and the Council of Economic Advisers.

Cabinet Departments 

Just below the EOP in the Bureaucratic hierarchy are the 15 cabinet departments, each headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president.

Independent Agencies 

Independent Agencies are Federal agencies that are not part of the cabinet-level executive departments. 

Regulatory Agencies and Commissions

Agencies that are independent of cabinet departments and are created by Congress to monitor and regulate specific areas of economic activity.

Deregulation

 The reduction or elimination of government rules and regulations that interfere with the efficient operation of market forces.

Government Corporations

Federally established businesses that are narrow in focus and are in part self-supporting. (Non-partisan)

Rule

 A statement of the bureaucracy that interprets the law or prescribes a specific action. These rules have the force of law.

Rulemaking 

The process in which the bureaucracy decides what the laws passed by Congress mean and how they should be carried out.

Adjudication

The process of determining whether a law or rule established by the bureaucracy has been broken.

Iron Triangles

A term to refer to the interdependent relationship among the bureaucracy, interest groups, and congressional committees.

Bounded Rationality

Herbert Simon’s theory that humans are not utility maximizers as suggested in classical rational choice models. Humans satisfice (see satisficing) rather than maximize.

Satisficing

Considering possible alternatives until finding one that is good enough to solve the problem at hand even though it might not be the “best” possible solution.

Overhead Democracy

The idea that the bureaucracy is controlled through the oversight of elected officials, who are chosen by the people, thus giving the populace control over the bureaucracy.

Police Patrol Oversight

The active oversight of the bureaucracy by elected officials to make sure that the bureaucracy is acting according to the wishes of the people.

Fire Alarm Oversight

Oversight that becomes active only when there is evidence of bureaucratic wrongdoing. 

Agency Capture 

A term used to describe when an agency seems to operate for the benefit of those whom it is supposed to regulate.

Freedom of Information Act of 1967

Requires bureaucracies to respond to all reasonable public requests for documents.

Sunshine Laws

Law intended to keep the bureaucracy accountable to the people by requiring that agency meetigns be open to the public.

What influence does Congress have on the Bureaucracy

1. Legislation

2. Power of the Purse

3. Legislative Veto

Power of the Purse 

means that every federal agency budget must be approved by Congress, they also use the appropriation process to place constraints or demands on the bureaucracy.

What influence does the President have on the Bureaucracy

1. Appointment Power

2. Impoundment

3. Executive Orders

Impoundment

The limited ability of the president to not spend money appropriated by Congress.

Executive Orders 

Directive of the president that have the same weight as law and are not voted on by Congress.

What influence does the Judiciary have on the Bureaucracy

1. Legislative Intent

2. Standards of Due Process

Contacting Out

Hiring a private organization to deliver a public program or service.

Principal-Agent Model

 A model explaining the relationship between Congress and the bureaucracy, which states that the relationship is similar to that between an employer who seeks to have work done (the principal) and an employee who does the work (the agent).

Adverse Selection

 A principal’s lack of information about the abilities of an agent

Moral Hazard

A principal's lack of information about the effort of an agent.