Bureaucracy
A complex system of organization based on certain principles
Bureaucrat
Person working for the organization who has certain defined duties and responsibilities
Executive branch
president
Executive office of the president
Executive departments
Independent agencies
Executive office of the president
Nerve center of the White House office
What is the executive office of the president made up of
Named offices and councils that assist the president in running the country
What is the main purpose of the executive office of the president
Helping the president carry out their duties as chief executive
Examples of executive offices of the president
Council of economic advisors, national security council
Council of economic advisors
Who the president would consult with if the country is sliding into an economic recession
National security council
Advises the president on all domestic, foreign, and military aspects of the nations security
White House offices
Federal employees who work most directly with the president, advise the president on foreign, domestic, and defense matters
Presidents cabinet
Members need senate approval after being appointed, members are typically of the presidents party, role in decision making is decided on the president
Department
In executive branch, title is reserved for agencies of cabinet rank
Examples of departments
Dep. of state, dep. of defense, dep. of treasury
Department of treasury
One of the original executive departments set up by congress in 1789
Name game
Phrase that means that titles of the government units are not standardized
Administrative units in government are _____ called ___
Inconsistently; Agencies, administrations, commissions, etc
Independent agencies
Some are quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial, have certain powers from congress to make laws and rule on conflicts
Example of independent agency
NASA
Line of agencies
Directly responsible for administering programs
Spoils system
The practice of giving offices and other favors government to political supporters and friends
Civil service system
Created party to ensure that federal government employees are promoted based on merit
Why was the civil service system created
President Garfield’s assassination by an angry office seeker
Main goal of civil service today
Recruit and keep the best available people in the federal workforce (rather than those favored by politicians)