Transcript
The Bureaucracy
Chapter 8
In This Chapter We Will Learn About:
The definition of bureaucracy
The evolution, organization, and roles of the federal bureaucracy
Politics inside the bureaucracy
The relationship between the federal bureaucracy and the other branches of the federal government
How citizens relate to the bureaucracy
What is Bureaucracy?
Bureaucracy: an organization characterized by hierarchical structure, worker specialization, explicit rules, and advancement by merit
Characteristics of bureaucracy, from Max Weber:
Hierarchy: clear chain of command and responsibility
Specialization: tasks divided by expertise
Explicit rules: rules rather than preferences govern decisions; have standardization, predictability
Merit: hiring based on exams and experience
Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy
Departments
Independent agencies
Independent regulatory boards and commissions
Government corporations
Evolution of the American Federal Bureaucracy
First departments served essential functions:
Departments of State, War, Treasury
New depts. added to meet changing public needs:
Western territories = Interior
Industrialization = Labor
Departments also created to respond to demands of clientele groups: groups of citizens whose interests are affected by an agency or a department and who work to influence its policies
Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Roles of the Federal Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy as administrator:
Implements laws passed by Congress
Bureaucracy as rule maker:
Congress relies on bureaucratic discretion to fill in details about otherwise vague policies
Bureaucracy as judge:
Interprets laws within department or agency
“Most representative” “branch” of government
Why is Bureaucracy Necessary?
Large tasks require organization and specialization
Bureaucracies exist in private sector, too
Because expertise is required in many decisions, democracy not the best way to make every decision
Neutral competence: need to have depoliticized administration of governmental programs
Spoils system/patronage
Positives and Negatives of Bureaucracy
Positives:
Rule-based hierarchy can be more fair, applies equally to everyone
More accountability
Negatives:
Certain actions of bureaucracies seem illogical or unfair because of rigid adherence to rules
Also a lot of red tape, delays, and bureaucratese involved in applying the rules equally to everyone
Politics Inside the Bureaucracy
Bureaucratic culture: the accepted values and procedures of an organization
Policy commitment:
Believe agency’s issue is most critical
Specialization and expertise:
Know more about policy than others
Consequences of bureaucratic culture:
Positive: commitment helps agency to make policy
Negative: resistant to suggestions of change
Presidential Appointees vs.
Career Civil Servants
Conflicting agendas:
“True believers” in agency’s mission may conflict if appointees’ ideology is different
Conflicting timeframes:
Appointees have short-term outlooks, so civil servants can just wait until appointee leaves office
Presidents often start new agency rather than change existing one
The Bureaucracy and the President
Appointment power:
Presidents appoint heads and next layers of departments
Budget review:
OMB can cut a department’s budget
President can veto agency funding
President has the power of persuasion over bureaucracy
The Bureaucracy and Congress
Congress controls bureaucracy through congressional oversight:
Reports on performance, spending, etc. of federal agencies
Bureaucracy implements laws passed by Congress
Bureaucracy also plays important role in passing new laws:
Iron triangles
Issue networks
Citizens and Bureaucracy
Avenues for citizens to control bureaucracies:
Citizen advisory councils
Sunshine laws allow citizens to see when meetings are held
Freedom of Information Act: allows citizens to get copies of agency info
Privacy Act of 1974: allows access to agency files on oneself
Shift to customer service model by bureaucratic agencies
