Structure of the Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy: The vast, hierarchical network of executive branch employees that carry out the business of the federal government

Cabinet Secretaries

Experienced “heads” of the 15 Cabinets departments

Also includes upper-level management, deputy secretaries, and bureau chiefs

Over 2000 positions

Departments

15 total cabinet departments

Agencies

Sub-units in each department (there are hundreds!)

Examples:

Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Treasury Agencies (such as IRS)

Commissions

An independent body of 5-7 members (a “Board”)

Serve terms; a president cannot replace them

Examples:

Federal Reserve Board, Federal Elections Commissions

Roles of the Bureaucracy

• Writing & Enforcing Regulations - Rulemaking: Congress creates the departments and agencies and, thus, gives them the authority to carry out goals & administer regulations. (example: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sets rules on polluting)
• Enforcement & Fines: Fines & other punishments can be enforced to companies that are not in compliance with regulations - Compliance Monitoring (Example: Fining an industry $400 million for an oil spill)
• Testifying Before Congress: Cabinet secretaries and agency directors act as experts who offer their knowledge to Congress (Example: James Comey - FBI Director, testified about Russian election interference)
• Iron Triangles & Issue Networks: The Bureaucracy is critical in advancing the goals of Special Interest Groups and PACs (see unit 5), and Congressional Committees fund those goals

From Patronage to Merit

The Spoils System

Patronage: Rewarding party loyalist with jobs

Spoils System: Appointing government jobs through patronage and expecting loyalty and support in return

Civil Service Reform

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883): An attempt to make federal appointments MERIT-based, not patronage-based. (See Garfield’s assassination)

Civil Service Commission: A Bi-Partisan group who ensure a candidate QUALIFY for a job, and aren’t required to make campaign contributions

Improving Effectiveness

Civil Service Reform Act: Created fair standards for dismissal, merit, diversity, and presidential-control

Office of Personnel Management: Replaced the Civil Service Commission; stronger Merit-based requirements

National Performance Review: 1993 overhaul under Clinton to make the bureaucracy more funtional