The BureaucracyIn this chapter we will learn aboutWhat is bureaucracy?What is bureaucracy?, cont’d.The spoils systemWhy is bureaucracy necessary?Possible drawbacks of bureaucracyEvolution of American federal bureaucracyEvolution of American federal bureaucracy, cont’d.Organization of the federal bureaucracyOrganization of the federal bureaucracy, cont’d.Roles of federal bureaucracyWho are the federal bureaucrats?Politics inside the bureaucracyPolitics inside the bureaucracy, cont’d.Presidential appointees vs. career civil servantsExternal bureaucratic politicsThe bureaucracy and the presidentThe bureaucracy and CongressThe bureaucracy and the courtsThe citizens and bureaucracyThe citizens and the bureaucracy, cont’d.The BureaucracyChapter 9In 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 bureaucracyWhat is bureaucracy?•An organization characterized by hierarchical structure, worker specialization, explicit rules, and advancement by merit•Goal is neutral competence: the principle that bureaucracy should be depoliticized by making it more professionalWhat is bureaucracy?, cont’d.•Classic definition from Max Weber highlights–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, not politicsThe spoils system•Nineteenth-century practice of rewarding political supporters with public office–Patronage was undone by civil service reforms, such as the Pendleton Act (1993) and the Hatch Act (1939)–Bureaucracies no longer staffed by patronageWhy 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.•Certain tasks that need to be done would not be supported by private industry because they would not make a profit.Possible drawbacks of bureaucracy•Consequences in a rule-based system–Decisions are fair, but there is a lot of red tape–Outcomes can take a long, long time•Accountability with rules, but less clear in public bureaucracyEvolution of American federal bureaucracy•Design of federal bureaucracy less like a coherent structure and more like a patchwork quilt•First departments served essential government functions–State, War, Treasury•Newer departments were responses to changing public needs, for example,–Western territories = Interior–Industrialization = LaborEvolution of American federalbureaucracy, cont’d.•Departments created to respond to demands of clientele groups–Clientele groups: groups of citizens whose interests are affected by an agency or a department and who work to influence its policies–E.g., agricultural interests pushed for Dept. of Agriculture and veterans for Dept. of Veterans AffairsOrganization of the federal bureaucracy•Departments: major subdivisions of the federal government, represented in the president’s cabinet–E.g., Defense, State, Treasury, Homeland Security•Independent agencies: government organizations independent of the departments but with a narrower policy focus–E.g., EPA, CIA, Peace CorpsOrganization of the federalbureaucracy, cont’d.•Independent regulatory boards and commissions: government organizations that regulate various businesses, industries, or economic sectors–E.g., FDA, FCC, National Labor Relations Board•Government corporations: companies created by Congress to provide goods or services to the public that private enterprise cannot or will not provide profitably –E.g., Amtrak, Postal Service, FDICRoles of federal bureaucracy• Bureaucracy as administrator–Implement laws passed by Congress• Bureaucracy as rule maker–Congress relies on bureaucratic discretion • Bureaucracy as judge–Interprets laws within department or agencyWho are the federal bureaucrats?•Rank-and-file members of agencies and departments; not department or agency heads•Usually reflect public accurately•Countless employees because we have over 500 bureaucratic entities in the United StatesPolitics inside the bureaucracy•Bureaucratic culture: the accepted values and procedures of an organization•Policy commitment–Believe agency’s issue is most critical facing country•Bureaucrats speak bureaucratese and defer to authorityPolitics inside the bureaucracy, cont’d.•Specialization and expertise–Know more about policy than politicians and public•Identify with agency –Committed to and protective of agency•Consequences of bureaucratic culture–Positive: commitment helps agency to make policy–Negative: resistant to suggestions of change, even to the extent of covering up problems – Challenger disaster–Whistle blowers are often the only check against these negativesPresidential appointees vs.career civil servants•Conflicting agendas–“True believers” in agency’s mission may conflict if appointees’ ideology is different•Conflicting time frames–Appointees have short-term outlooks, so civil servants can just wait until appointee leaves office •Presidents often start new agency rather than change existing oneExternal bureaucratic politics•Interagency politics: competition between agencies for budget and resources•Constituency building–Build groups of supporters in public and Congress•Guarding the turf–Guard own programs and don’t let others duplicate traditional responsibilitiesThe bureaucracy and the president•Appointment power–Presidents appoint heads and next layers of departments•Budget proposal–OMB can cut a department’s budget • Presidential veto of agency funding• Power of persuasionThe bureaucracy and Congress•Iron triangles–Alliance of congressional committees, interest groups, and agencies working together for mutual benefit –Issue networks: more complex relationships•Congress controls bureaucracy through committees that have influence, and bureaucracy respondsThe bureaucracy and the courts•Courts may deal with cases against agencies or departments, but rarely •Congress often protects agencies and