2.12

Federal Bureaucracy

  • Powerful institution enforcing federal policies.

  • Origin: Article I, Section 8 (Necessary and Proper Clause) & Article II (presidential opinions).

  • Controlled mostly by executive branch with legislative and judicial influences.

    • Congress's Role: Oversight, funding, quasi-legislative authority.

    • Judiciary's Role: Oversees administrative actions.

  • Forms of Bureaucracy:

    • Cabinet Departments: Largest organizations, led by presidential appointees.

    • Independent Executive Agencies: Narrower focus on specific issues.

    • Independent Regulatory Commissions: Enforce regulations & resolve disputes.

    • Government Corporations: Provide services, charge fees.

  • Quasi-legislative (rulemaking) and quasi-judicial (administrative adjudication) functions.

Civil Service System

  • The evolution sparked suspicion toward government officials.

  • Spoils System: Reward supporters, leading to corruption concerns.

  • Reforms Introduced:

    • Civil Service Act: Merit-based job awards, competitive exams.

    • Civil Service Commission: Ensures neutrality; illegal to fire for political reasons.

    • Hatch Act: Limits political activity of federal employees.

  • Civil Service Reform Act: Established agencies like Office of Personnel Management, created Senior Executive Service (SES).

  • Political Relationships:

    • Iron Triangle: Links congressional committees, agencies, interest groups.

    • Shift from iron triangles to issue networks: Broader connections among stakeholders in policymaking.