KTRBrief6eCh08LectureSlides

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