Chapter_7
Page 1: The Bureaucracy Topics
Topic 2.12: Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government.
Topic 2.13: Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule making and implementation.
Topic 2.14: Explain how Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch.
Topic 2.15: Explain the extent to which governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable given competing interests.
Page 2: Understanding the Bureaucracy
Essential Question: How does the bureaucracy carry out the responsibilities of the federal government?
Functions of the Federal Government:
Maintaining interstate highways.
Coordinating air traffic.
Protecting borders and enforcing laws.
Delivering mail.
The federal bureaucracy is a vast organization of executive branch employees (~3 million) that interprets, administers, and enforces laws passed by Congress.
Growth of Bureaucracy: Increased public expectation and federal responsibilities have led to a more powerful bureaucracy.
Page 3: Structure of the Bureaucracy
Executive Hierarchy: Includes departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations.
Cabinet Secretaries: Presidents appoint over 2,000 upper-level officials; appointments often require Senate confirmation.
Example: President John F. Kennedy appointed his brother Robert as Attorney General.
Departments: 15 main departments; Department of Defense is the largest.
Agencies: Subunits of departments that focus on specific goals; Examples: ICE, TSA.
Page 4: Types of Agencies
Government Corporations: Amtrak, Postal Service.
Independent Executive Agencies: NASA, EPA.
Independent Regulatory Commissions: FCC, FTC.
Independent Agencies: Operate without direct oversight from departments, reducing potential influence.
Page 5: Criticisms of the Bureaucracy
Public Perception: Bureaucracy often criticized as inefficient, particularly organizations like TSA.
Example of TSA: Criticism includes airport security failures and inefficiencies in staff management.
Page 6: Tasks of the Bureaucracy
Congress defines organizational missions and provides funding.
Agencies create regulations with discretion allowed by Congress.
Enforcement: Agencies can impose penalties; e.g., EPA following the Clean Water Act.
Page 7: Agency Interactions
Testifying Before Congress: Agency officials provide testimony regarding operations and policies.
Iron Triangles: Relationship among agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups that influences policy implementation.
Page 8: Iron Triangle Dynamics
Congress: Provides funding and oversight.
Interest Groups: Offer input on regulations and fund campaigns.
Bureaucracy: Implements policies with an incentive to work closely with the other two.
Page 9: Historical Context of the Bureaucracy
Patronage System: Early U.S. bureaucracy favoring jobs for loyal party members.
Civil Service Reform: Changed to merit-based appointments to combat corruption.
Pendleton Act (1883): Established competitive examinations for jobs.
Page 10: Modern Bureaucratic Framework
Agencies created for regulation during Industrial Era (e.g., ICC in 1887).
Reforms for Efficiency: Efforts continue to streamline and professionalize bureaucracy.
Page 11: Examining Health Care Implementation
Example of CCIIO and its role in overseeing health insurance policy after ACA.
Page 12: Discretionary Authority in Bureaucracy
Essential Question: How does bureaucracy use discretionary authority?
Agencies have power to interpret laws passed by Congress to create rules.
Page 13: Rule-Making Process
Administrative Procedures Act (1946): Governs how agencies create rules; ensures public input.
Agencies have autonomy but must adhere to regulatory requirements.
Page 14: Congressional Role
Congress monitors agency actions through oversight and has significant influence in budget decisions.
Page 15: Importance of Oversight
Independent Regulatory Agencies: Can enact industry-specific rules and are less susceptible to presidential control.
Page 16: TSA as an Example
Example of TSA's evolving rules regarding flight security based on delegated authority and public safety matters.
Page 17: Reflection on Discretionary Authority
Chart Task: List examples of departments that exercise discretionary authority and the reasons for it.
Page 18: Accountability Framework
Essential for Congress and the President to ensure accountability and effectiveness of bureaucracy.
Page 19: Congressional Insight and Funding Control
Congress uses funding power as leverage over agency effectiveness and operations.
Page 20: President's Role in Agencies
The President can shape agency policies through appointments and directives; however, agency structures also influence outcomes.
Page 21: Trends in Agency Accountability
Courts shape agency authority and effectiveness through judicial review.
Emphasis on the importance of judicial system oversight of bureaucratic decisions.
Page 22: Policy Mechanisms
Extent of Accountability: How effectively Congress and the President maintain control over bureaucratic functions.
Page 23: Competing Interests across Branches
Agencies must balance different interests and influences from Congress and the President, which can lead to inefficiencies.
Page 24: Legislative Veto and Judicial Intervention
Historical context leading to judicial review of legislative veto authority as a balance of power.
Page 25: Whistleblower Protection
Importance of whistleblower protections for transparency and accountability within federal agencies.
Page 26: Courts and Bureaucratic Decisions
Examples of court cases emphasizing the limits of agency discretion and importance of due process.
Page 27: Importance of Chevron Doctrine
Established precedent for agency latitude in rule-making when laws lack clarity.
Page 28: Review and Key Terms
Key Concepts: Bureaucracy's role, accountability measures, reforms, key acts are critical for understanding the evolution and function of bureaucratic institutions.