The Federal Bureaucracy

A line agency is a unit that _____.

performs tasks to meet goals

What is a bureaucracy?

A bureaucracy is a large, complex structure that handles the everyday business of an organization. Bureaucracies have three main features: structure, job specialization, and formal rules. A bureaucracy is organized like a pyramid with several levels. Each level reports to the level above it. This structure is often referred to as a hierarchy. Officials or units at the top have control over the units in the middle. Officials at the middle levels direct those at the bottom. Each person working in the bureaucracy is called a bureaucrat. Each worker has specific duties. A bureaucracy is an effective way to get work done for several reasons. First, the hierarchical structure helps speed action by reducing conflicts over who has power. The higher a person's rank in the organization, the greater the decision-making power he or she has. Two other features of the bureaucracy help it to run efficiently: job specialization and formalized rules. Job specialization means that each person in the organization is required to focus on one particular job. Therefore, the worker gains a set of specialized skills and knowledge. Formalized rules mean that decisions are based on a set of known standards, not on someone's likes and dislikes. These rules help everyone in the organization understand what is expected.

Check Your Understanding

A bureaucracy is a large, complex structure that handles the everyday business of an organization. It is founded on three principles. First, a bureaucracy has a hierarchical structure—a few top officials and units that have authority over a large group of managers, who, in turn, supervise many more workers. Second, each bureaucrat, or person who works for the organization, has a specific job. Third, a bureaucracy operates under a set of formalized rules. The federal bureaucracy is all the agencies, people, and procedures through which the federal government operates. The President is its chief administrator. His administration consists of the government's many agencies and administrators. The executive branch is composed of three groups of agencies: the Executive Office of the President, the 14 Cabinet departments, and many independent agencies. The units of the bureaucracy go by multiple names. Departments are units of Cabinet rank. Agencies and administrations are each overseen by an administrator and often are seen as having near-Cabinet status. Commissions regulate business activities and may advise on or investigate other concerns. Authorities and corporations conduct business-like activities under a board and a manager. Each administrative organization is made up of one of two types of units. Staff agencies provide support for other workers, while line agencies perform an organization's tasks.

Which is an advantage of an organization structured as a bureaucracy? It is easy to change the structure of a bureaucracy as needs change. It is an effective way for the organization to get work done. It is a type of organization in which workers learn different skills. It requires the least number of people to staff a full organization.

It is an effective way for the organization to get work done.

_____ carry out public policy by performing tasks with the help of staff agencies. Regulatory commissions Cabinet departments Department secretaries Line agencies

Line agencies

What are the three broad groups of agencies that make up the executive branch?

The Executive Office of the President, 15 Cabinet departments, and independent agencies make up the executive branch.

What are staff and line agencies?

The agencies that make up the administration are called either staff agencies or line agencies. Staff agencies give support. For example, the agencies that make up the Executive Office of the President are staff agencies. Each exists to support the President. Line agencies are given goals to meet and actually carry out public policy. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a line agency. It is responsible for seeing that the antipollution laws are followed. Staff agencies help line agencies meet their goals by advising, budgeting, planning, and managing.

What are the major elements of the federal bureaucracy?

The federal bureaucracy is made up of all the agencies through which the government operates. Almost all of the federal bureaucracy is found in the executive branch. The executive branch is made up of three broad groups of agencies. They are the Executive Office of the President, the 15 Cabinet departments, and a large number of independent agencies. Congress and the federal court system are examples of bureaucracies not in the executive branch. At the top of the pyramid is the President, who has the highest position in the country. The President is responsible for seeing that all parts of the executive branch operate as they should. At the next level is the Executive Office of the President. The individuals and agencies in this office directly assist the President. Below the Executive Office are the executive departments. Their department heads and the attorney general make up the President's Cabinet. The bottom part of the pyramid, or base, is made up of many agencies. This level is the largest part of the federal government.

Introduction

The federal government is the largest organization in the country. Federal employees deliver the mail, collect taxes, defend the nation, and provide hundreds of other services. In fact, you usually cannot go a single day without coming in contact with the federal government in some way.

What are the names given to the executive branch units?

The name department is reserved for agencies that make up the Cabinet. Many other titles are used for the other units in the executive branch. These include agency, administration, commission, corporation, and authority. Agencies that regulate business are usually called commissions, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Agencies that carry on business may be called corporations or authorities, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Bureau is the name given to a section of a department. For example, under the Department of Justice is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Many federal agencies are known by their initials or a nickname. Some examples are the FBI, IRS, FCC, and CIA. The Government National Mortgage association is called Ginnie Mae. Amtrak is the nickname for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

Which type of unit is charged with regulating business? an administration an association a commission an authority

a commission

bureaucracy bureaucrat staff agency line agency

a large, complex structure that handles the everyday business of an organization a person who works for a bureaucratic organization an agency that supports the chief executive and other administrators an agency that performs tasks to meet its goals

The main responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making sure antipollution laws are followed. What kind of agency is it? a corporate agency a staff agency a commission agency a line agency

a line agency

People who support the President in the Executive Office work in which type of agency? a staff agency a line agency a congressional agency an independent agency

a staff agency

A bureaucracy is organized like a pyramid with the head of the bureaucracy _____. on the bottom at the top between each level in the middle

at the top

Workers in a bureaucracy understand what is expected of them because of a system of _____. conflict reduction formalized rules job specialization decision making

formalized rules

Which feature of a bureaucracy requires that each person within an organization focus on a particular task?

job specialization

Which is not a typical feature of a bureaucracy?

leadership at the bottom

The Federal Trade Commission has responsibility for what task?

regulating business

Which help line agencies meet their goals by advising, budgeting, planning, and managing? staff agencies executive committees managerial bureaucracies congressional commissions

staff agencies

The individuals and agencies in _____ are responsible for directly assisting the President. the Executive Office of the President the House of Representatives the Cabinet departments the congressional committees

the Executive Office of the President

Which is not part of the executive branch bureaucracy?

the Government Accountability Office

Who is the chief administrator of the federal bureaucracy? the Chief Justice the Attorney General the secretary of state the President

the President

Each of the following groups is part of the federal bureaucracy of the executive branch except _____.

the congressional subcommittees