Bureaucracy Notes

Introduction to Bureaucracy

Q: What is the bureaucracy sometimes called?
A: The "4th branch of government"

Q: How many workers are in the federal bureaucracy?
A: Nearly 3 million

Q: What percentage of the budget does the bureaucracy take up?
A: 40% (Discretionary spending)

Q: Where does the other 60% of the budget go?
A: Entitlement programs and debt interest

Getting Bureaucratic Jobs

Q: What is patronage (spoils system)?
A: Hiring based on loyalty rather than ability

Q: What is the merit system?
A: Hiring based on ability rather than loyalty

Q: What did the Pendleton Act do?
A: Established the merit system for hiring civil servants

Powers of the Bureaucracy

Q: What are the main powers of the bureaucracy?
A: - Provide services

• Write and enforce laws (rule-making)

• Discretionary authority (power to act on their own)

Challenges in Bureaucracy

Q: Why is it difficult to fire bureaucrats?
A: There are strict rules, but they can be moved to undesirable locations or given mundane work.

Q: What is an Iron Triangle?
A: A strong relationship between a bureaucratic agency, an interest group, and Congress.

Q: What is an Issue Network?
A: A group of concerned people advocating for a particular issue until it is solved.

Q: What is red tape?
A: Excessive rules and paperwork that slow down processes.

Q: What is wasteful spending?
A: When bureaucratic agencies spend more money than needed.

Checks on the Bureaucracy

Q: How does Congress check the bureaucracy?
A: - Creates agencies by law

• Controls funding (appropriations)

• Holds investigations (oversight)

Q: How does the judiciary check the bureaucracy?
A: Courts can review agency decisions and rule them unconstitutional.

Q: What is the Hatch Act?
A: Prevents federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities.

Types of Federal Agencies

1. Executive Departments

Q: How many cabinet departments exist?
A: 15

Q: What is an example of an executive agency within a department?
A: FBI (part of the Department of Justice)

2. Independent Agencies

Q: What makes an agency "independent"?
A: It is not part of a cabinet department and has a single function.

Q: Who appoints independent agency heads?
A: The President (confirmed by the Senate)

Q: Examples of independent agencies?
A: CIA, NASA

3. Regulatory Agencies

Q: What do regulatory agencies do?
A: Enforce rules that regulate specific activities and protect public interest.

Q: Examples of regulatory agencies?
A: FCC, FDA, SEC, EPA, FAA

4. Government Corporations

Q: What is a government corporation?
A: A government agency run like a business that provides a service for a fee.

Q: Example of a government corporation?
A: U.S. Postal Service

Bureaucratic Pathologies (Problems)

Q: What is red tape?
A: Excessive rules and paperwork that slow things down.

Q: What is bureaucratic conflict?
A: When agencies work against each other’s goals.

Q: What is duplication in bureaucracy?
A: When two agencies do the same job.

Q: What is bureaucratic imperialism?
A: When an agency grows in size and cost beyond its benefits.

Q: What is waste in bureaucracy?
A: Spending more money than necessary.