Introduction to the Bureaucracy

Introduction to the Bureaucracy

Multiple Select

The president checks the courts when

• proposes legislation

• appoints judges/justices

• confirm or refuse to confirm federal judges/justices

• vetoes legislation Congress has passed

Multiple Choice

Who said it?:
"I can override a Veto!!"

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial
• TRICK QUESTION: not a check nor balance

Multiple Choice

Who said it?:
"I appoint your judges!!"

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial
• TRICK QUESTION: not a check nor balance

Multiple Choice

Who said it?:
"I can impeach you!!"

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial
• TRICK QUESITON: not a check nor balance

Multiple Choice

Who said it?:
"I can veto your legislation!!"

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial
• TRICK QUESITON: not a check nor balance

Learning Objectives

• A Quick Word about the White House Staff

• Defining the Bureaucracy

• Characteristics of the Bureaucracy

• Composition of the Bureaucracy

• What does it do?

• How is it staffed?

The White House Staff

-Closest to the President-In proximity and ideology

• Traditionally campaign staff
• Most Loyal/Buffer Zone
• The importance of West Wing Extra Credit Opportunities

Defining the Bureaucracy

A bureaucracy is a particular government unit established to accomplish a specific set of goals and objectives as authorized by a legislative body.

What does it do?

• Administration- routine administrative work: Collecting revenue to support government programs (IRS), Cut Checks (Social Security)

• Implementation ­­­­­­­­: ­Carry out laws of Congress. For example: FDA inspects food for the food industry, The Center for Disease and Control protects Americans against their namesake

• Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public

• Implement Public Policy (Transform ideas into reality)

Characteristics of the Bureaucracy

• Hierarchical in nature (Arranged in order of rank)

• Massive: Known as the fourth branch (3 million members)

• Consists of unelected often highly trained professionals (Experts)

• Non profit

• Apolitical

Composition of the Bureaucracy

• 3 groups

• Cabinet (15 in total) Regulatory commission: FCC, SEC

• Independent agency (an agency of the United States government that is created by an act of Congress and is independent of the executive departments; NASA, CIA)

• Independent Regulatory Commissions: federal agencies created by an act of Congress that are independent of the executive departments. These agencies are meant to impose and enforce regulations free of political influence.FCC, SEC)

• Government Corporations: established by Congress to provide a public service and to produce revenues. (AMTRACK, TVA, Post Office)

How is it staffed?

• President appoints the heads (Secretaries) of the executive agencies and cabinet members. Subject to approval of Senate

• Old school model was to hire based on the patronage model: President picks friends to staff (SPOILS SYSTEM)

• New School model: Workers take a civil service exam to show their intelligence and are hired appropriately. You should be hired based on your merit (PENDLETON ACT)

• Recruited: OPM

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