The Federal Workforce and Civil Service AND The Executive Branch at Work

Spoils System

the practice of victorious politicians rewarding their supporters with government jobs

Washington had his Federalist friends in office

TJ kicked them out for his Democratic Republican friends.

Spoils system reform

• 1881 President James A. Garfield ignored Charles Guiteau’s requests for a job in the diplomatic service.

• Guiteau shot and killed Garfield

• Chester A. Arthur, who succeeded Garfield as president, pushed for reforms

• 1883 Congress passed the Pendleton Act, creating the present federal civil service system.

federal jobs today

good pay, competitive, hard to fire

whistleblowers

Federal employees who report corruption or wrongdoing by the government

1939 Hatch Act

prevents federal workers from participating in election campaigns

Opponents argue that the law violates freedom of speech for federal workers. They also claim that the act discourages political participation by people who may be well informed about political issues.

1993 Congress revised

• prohibits federal workers from engaging in political activities during work hours, including wearing a campaign button

• can participate in politics after work

• They cannot run for an elective office, however, or solicit public contributions.

Public policy

stated course of action the government takes to address problems

might include actions the government requires or forbids

bureaucracy

implement laws and make policy

entire complement of agencies and departments

administer programs

carry out congressional policies, shape what a law actually means!

injunction

stops action/enforces a rule

citizens/groups can ask for an injunction to check the bureaucracy

 liaison officers

each cabinet department has them

develop relationships with congress

keep track of bills in congress

communicate with congress for specific topics

EXECUTIVE liaison officers can draft congress bills and testify legislation

rule terms

elected official- law

citizens/lobbyists- ordinances

bureaucrats- regulations

reasons for a growing beureaucracy

• population Growth

• Industrial and Technological Advances

• Growing Global Economy

• Threats to National Security