Unit 4C: The Bureaucracy

Federal Bureaucracy

The unofficial "4th Branch of Government" consisting of all the agencies, departments, commissions, offices and government corporations of the executive branch that implement policies by writing and enforcing regulations, issuing fines, testifying before Congress, forming iron triangles, and creating issue networks

Red Tape

Vast amount of forms, paperwork, procedures, and formal steps citizens must take to accomplish a govt-mandated task

Patronage

When a politician pays his supporters and allies back in a rewards, like jobs or money; Hiring based on political favors.

Spoils System

the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters

Civil Service

The government's administrative service, in which job holders are determined by their merit.

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

A landmark federal law that determined that government jobs and positions should be awarded by merit, not patronage.

Hatch Act

The 1939 act to prohibit civil servants from taking activist roles in partisan campaigns. This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions, working for a particular party, or campaigning for a particular candidate.

Office of Personnel Management

Agency that administers civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

GS (General Schedule) Rating

The pay scale that dominates the United States Civil Service.

Independent Regulatory Commission

A Commission established by Congress to regulate a particular industry.

Federal Reserve Board

an independent agency of the federal government established in 1913 to regulate the nation's banking and financial industry; controls interest rates in the country

Federal Communications Commission

Federal agency that regulates the radio, television, wire, satellite and cable communications.

Federal Trade Commission

a federal agency established in 1914 to investigate and stop unfair business practices

Securities and Exchange Commission

an independent agency of the government that regulates financial markets and investment companies by monitoring the stock market and enforcing laws regulating the sale of stocks and bonds

Government Corporations

A commercial enterprise owned by the national government. (Ex: Amtrak, NPR, The US Postal Service)

Independent Executive Agencies

Government agencies that fall under the regulation of the executive branch but that are not represented in the Cabinet.

Standard Operating Procedures

Set of procedures that agencies use to make decisions

Policy implementation

the stage of policymaking between the establishment of a policy and the consequences of the policy for the people whom it affects. It involves translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an operating, ongoing program.

Administrative Discretion

Congress grants more flexibility to the bureaucracy as the experts who know how to put the law into action better than Congress will. The federal bureaucracy uses discretionary power as delegated by Congress to interpret and implement policies. Through their rulemaking authority, federal bureaucratic agencies utilize their discretion to create and enforce regulations.

Street-level Bureaucrats

The sub-set of a bureaucracy which carries out and enforces the actions of the government. (ex: Police officers)

Privatization

To change from government or public ownership or control to private ownership or control.

Regulation

a rule that allows the government to exercise control over individuals and corporations by restricting certain behaviors

Deregulation

The lifting of government restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities.

Command-and-Control Policy

When something is directly regulated by legislation, which lays out rules.

Incentive System

When a rule is made, but not directly in legislation. Instead, it will be tied to incentives. For example, you might receive federal funding for your highways only if you set your drinking age to 21.

Iron Triangles

alliances of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that are prominent in specific policy areas

Issue Networks

Temporary coalitions of interest groups, bureaucratic agencies, and government officials formed to promote a common issue or agenda

Whistle Blower Protection Act (1989)

A federal law protecting whistle blowers. It prevents agencies from threatening employees if they disclose information.

Authorization Legislation

Legislation authorizing the beginning or continuing of a govt program or agency

Committee Clearance

The ability of a Congressional committee to review and approve some agency decisions in advance.

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

A law requiring agencies to release any information that is requested, and that gives the public the right to see that information.

Administrative Procedure Act (1946)

A law governing the way in which the federal agencies propose and establish regulations. It also allowed the US federal courts to review agency decisions.

Congressional oversight of bureaucracy

Power of Congress that ensures that legislation is implemented as intended by 1. Reviewing, monitoring, and supervising bureaucratic agencies, 2. Conducting investigations and committee hearings of bureaucratic activity, 3. Power of the purse (the ability of Congress to check the bureaucracy by appropriating or withholding funds)

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. It consists of six commissioners appointed by president and confirmed by the Senate. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of campaign finance information and public funding of presidential elections, and enforcing contribution limits.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment with regulatory and enforcement authority