GOV: Chapter 7- The Federal Bureaucracy

7.1 Explain how the federal bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of government

Most of the federal bureaucracy lies within the executive branch. The bureaucracy make rules that impact people's daily lives. Bureaucrats are people who work within bureaucracies. The patronage system filled administrative positions as a reward for political support. The Pendleton Civil Service Act began the merit-based civil services, where jobs in the bureaucracy are award based on competitive testing and other qualifications.

7.2 Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses its authority to create and implement regulations

The federal bureaucracy has grown exponentially over time, as has the complexity of the tasks it must perform and the demands for services placed upon it by the American people. The Constitution calls for executive branch departments to assist the president in executing the laws of the nation. To control the power of the executive, Congress was given the power to approve nominees and impeach executive officers. There was not initially a set number of cabinet departments, nor were their responsibilities set in stone; they have changed over time according to the needs of the nation. Executive political appointees serve at the top of the federal bureaucracy, while career civil servants provide stability from administration to administration. Iron triangles are mutually beneficial relationships among the bureaucracy, members of Congress, and interest groups.

7.3 Explain the role of the bureaucracy in the policymaking process

The policymaking process involves the public agenda, lawmaking by Congress, rulemaking and implementation by the bureaucracy, feed back, and revision or termination. Implementing the laws passed by Congress is one of the bureaucracy's core tasks. Bureaucrats typically have some discretion over how the laws are implemented. Agencies also have critical rulemaking responsibilities and they may fill in the details of legislation, sometimes using bureaucratic adjudication to settle disputes that arise during implementation. The bureaucracy also can serve to represent the citizens.

merit system

a system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections.

Pendleton Act

an act of Congress that created the first United States Civil Service Commission to draw up and enforce rules on hiring, promotion, and tenure of office within the civil service (also known as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883)

bureaucrat

an official employed within a government bureaucracy

iron trianagle

coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals.

political patronage

filling of administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than solely on merit.

implementation

the bureaucracy's role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed.

federal bureaucracy

the departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation

federal civil service

the merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments

bureaucratic discretion

the power to decide how a law is implemented and, what Congress meant when it passed the law

7.4 Explain how Congress, the president, and the courts can hold the bureaucracy accountable

the president formally controls most of the federal bureaucracy, and he can influence the bureaucracy through the appointment of federal officials, by submitting a budget, and through executive orders. Congress can control the bureaucracy by passing laws that set priorities, through funding, and by holding oversight hearings. Judicial decisions may restrict bureaucratic action. Efforts to reform the bureaucracy- to limit its power, reduce its size, and fix inefficiencies- include devolved responsibilities to the state, deregulation, and privatizing government responsibilities to increase competitiveness.

regulation

the process through which the federal bureaucracy makes rules that have the force of law, to carry out the laws passed by Congress

How does having a merit-based civil service advance the goals of a democratic government (think)

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In what ways do iron triangles and issue networks benefit and harm representative democracy? (think)

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of polices that protect civil servants from termination? (think)

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What are the dangers in allowing an unelected bureaucracy to make rules and adjudicated whether or not those rules have been broken? (think)

think

Why is it difficult for the president and Congress to control the bureaucracy despite the tools they have for doing so? think

think

issue network

webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates

bureaucratic adjudication

when the federal bureaucracy settles disputes between parties that arise over the implementation of federal laws or determines which individuals or groups are covered under a regulation or program.