What is Bureaucracy ?
A bureaucracy is a hierarchical structure that uses task specialization operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality. Power flows from top to bottom and responsibilities flow from bottom to top.
A bureaucracy is a hierarchical structure that uses task specialization operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality. Power flows from top to bottom and responsibilities flow from bottom to top.
~Myths and Realities~
Many people in America know little to no information about the bureaucracy. So, because they are so unpopular to the public there are always assumptions that are being made up about them. Here are 2 of the most common Myths and Realities about the Bureaucracy:
Many people in America know little to no information about the bureaucracy. So, because they are so unpopular to the public there are always assumptions that are being made up about them. Here are 2 of the most common Myths and Realities about the Bureaucracy:
- Americans dislike the Bureaucracy~ Actually for the Americans who who do know about the bureaucracy, they are actually satisfied with them. Surveys have shown that 2/3 or more of those who have had an encounter with the bureaucracy, have actually had positive responses.
- Most federal bureaucrats work in Washington D.C~ Actually one in seven federal civilians employees work in Washington D.C area. Most of them, surprisingly work in foreign countries and American territories.
~The Hiring System of the Bureaucracy~
For a long time, in order to get a job in the government, there was a system intact called Patronage. Patronage was a hiring system that was based solely on political factor instead of merit. If you had a good connection with the people working with the government, chances are you would get the job just based off of relationships. Many of the earlier presidents staff their cabinet with their friends, instead of people actually qualified for the job. In 1183 The Pendleton Civil Service Act made this current hiring process banned and was soon replaced by a new hiring process. This new hiring process would require that future employees be hired based on merit not patronage.
The Hatch Act and Office of Personnel Management:
The Hatch act was issued in 1939 and was amended in 1993, prohibits civil service employees from participating in partisan politics while on duty. When they are off duty they may participate in political activities. Some employees that have more politically sensitive responsibilities, cannot even engage in political activity off duty.
The Office of Personnel Management is in charge of hiring most of the federal agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a very elaborate way of hiring it's staff. In order to get a job you have to take an entrance exam, if you pass then your names are sent to agencies that have your skills.
For a long time, in order to get a job in the government, there was a system intact called Patronage. Patronage was a hiring system that was based solely on political factor instead of merit. If you had a good connection with the people working with the government, chances are you would get the job just based off of relationships. Many of the earlier presidents staff their cabinet with their friends, instead of people actually qualified for the job. In 1183 The Pendleton Civil Service Act made this current hiring process banned and was soon replaced by a new hiring process. This new hiring process would require that future employees be hired based on merit not patronage.
The Hatch Act and Office of Personnel Management:
The Hatch act was issued in 1939 and was amended in 1993, prohibits civil service employees from participating in partisan politics while on duty. When they are off duty they may participate in political activities. Some employees that have more politically sensitive responsibilities, cannot even engage in political activity off duty.
The Office of Personnel Management is in charge of hiring most of the federal agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a very elaborate way of hiring it's staff. In order to get a job you have to take an entrance exam, if you pass then your names are sent to agencies that have your skills.
If there is still confusion on the subject about Patronage and The Hatch Act, I advise you visit these links down below:
How is the Bureaucracy Organized?
Well, the way that the bureaucracy is organized is similar to the way the federal executive branch is organized, which is 4 different group agencies: Cabinet department, Independent Regulatory Commissions, Government Corporations, and Independent executive agencies.
Well, the way that the bureaucracy is organized is similar to the way the federal executive branch is organized, which is 4 different group agencies: Cabinet department, Independent Regulatory Commissions, Government Corporations, and Independent executive agencies.
~Cabinet Department~
All of the 15 cabinet departments are headed by a secretary. This secretary has to be chosen by the government and approved by the senate. These departments are all totally different in all aspects Sometimes the cabinets can be somewhat controversial, for example for many years the republican had been wanting to get rid of certain cabinet departments such as the Education,Commerce,and Energy departments because the waste tax dollars.
All of the 15 cabinet departments are headed by a secretary. This secretary has to be chosen by the government and approved by the senate. These departments are all totally different in all aspects Sometimes the cabinets can be somewhat controversial, for example for many years the republican had been wanting to get rid of certain cabinet departments such as the Education,Commerce,and Energy departments because the waste tax dollars.
Still confused about the cabinet department? Check out this video!
~Independent Regulatory System~
The Independent Regulatory system makes sure that their are enforced rules in place that is in the best interest of the people in a part of the economy. These independent commissions are often referred to as alphabet soup because they are mostly known by their initials and not their full name. Here are some examples of some independent regulatory commissions:
The Independent Regulatory system makes sure that their are enforced rules in place that is in the best interest of the people in a part of the economy. These independent commissions are often referred to as alphabet soup because they are mostly known by their initials and not their full name. Here are some examples of some independent regulatory commissions:
- FRB (Federal Reserve Board)
- FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
- SEC (the Securities and Exchange Commissions)
Still confused about independent regulatory commissions? Check out this video!
~Government Corporations~
The government also has government corporations. These government corporations serve two main roles in the federal government. They are not exactly like private corporations, but pretty close. One role they serve is they provide a service that could be handled by the private sector. Secondly they actually charge for their services , although the rates are cheaper than going to a private sector. Do you know what the biggest government corporation is? If you shockingly picked the Post Office then your right! The Post Office is actually the one of the oldest and largest government corporations.
~The Independent Executive Agencies~
The independent executive agencies is everything else in the government that isn't part of the cabinet,regulatory commissions, and government corporations. The administrators are appointed by the president and serve under his will. Here are 2 examples of the biggest independent executive agencies:
The government also has government corporations. These government corporations serve two main roles in the federal government. They are not exactly like private corporations, but pretty close. One role they serve is they provide a service that could be handled by the private sector. Secondly they actually charge for their services , although the rates are cheaper than going to a private sector. Do you know what the biggest government corporation is? If you shockingly picked the Post Office then your right! The Post Office is actually the one of the oldest and largest government corporations.
~The Independent Executive Agencies~
The independent executive agencies is everything else in the government that isn't part of the cabinet,regulatory commissions, and government corporations. The administrators are appointed by the president and serve under his will. Here are 2 examples of the biggest independent executive agencies:
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- General Services Administration (GSA)
Still confused on government corporations and independent executive agencies? Check out these links!
~Implementation~
Policy implementation is the stage of policy making between the establishment of a policy and policies for others. Implementation is a huge part in policy making and includes three elements:
Policy implementation is the stage of policy making between the establishment of a policy and policies for others. Implementation is a huge part in policy making and includes three elements:
- Creation of a new agency or assignment of a new responsibility to an old agency
- Translate the policy goals into operational rules and development of guidelines for the program.
- Coordination of resources and personnel to achieve the intended goals.
- The program design
- Lack of clarity
- Lack of Resources
- Lack Of Authority
- Administrators Deposition
- Fragmentation
Still confused on implementation? Check out this link!
~A Successful Implementation~
When the goals of the implementation is clear, it can be very effective. In the mid 1960's the government responded to the discrimination between races with passing the Voting Rights Act. This act made it illegal for their to be discrimination in voting, such as literacy tests and other test previously. This act boosted voting participation from 43 percent in 1964 to 65 percent in 1970. This act wasn't a good implementation because of how popular it was, but how effective the goal was , the implementation that was set was straightforward, and the authority of implementors was active.. Although they passed this bill, doesn't mean that everybody was on board with this act. Many southern senators and representatives were very angry about the bill, which caused a filibuster and delayed the bill from getting to the senate.
When the goals of the implementation is clear, it can be very effective. In the mid 1960's the government responded to the discrimination between races with passing the Voting Rights Act. This act made it illegal for their to be discrimination in voting, such as literacy tests and other test previously. This act boosted voting participation from 43 percent in 1964 to 65 percent in 1970. This act wasn't a good implementation because of how popular it was, but how effective the goal was , the implementation that was set was straightforward, and the authority of implementors was active.. Although they passed this bill, doesn't mean that everybody was on board with this act. Many southern senators and representatives were very angry about the bill, which caused a filibuster and delayed the bill from getting to the senate.
~The Bureaucracy and Regulations~
The government regulates in order to control and gain money from the private sector. They also do it because if the government doesn't regulate items such as food, we could get possibly sick from the food that originally was getting produced. The role of regulation is one of the most controversial in the bureaucracy. The bureaucrats regulate almost everything from nuclear power plant to food additives.
From the begging of Americas government to 1887, there was barely any regulation. The few regulation that they had was with the state and local authorities, and was the opponents disputed even the minimal regulation for both the state and local. After the case between Munn v. Illinois, which was involved with the right of the state of Illinois to regulate charges and services with the Chicago's warehouse, the congress created it's first regulation firm. This first regulation firm was called ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission), there role was to regulate the railroads, their prices,and services to the farmers.
The government regulates in order to control and gain money from the private sector. They also do it because if the government doesn't regulate items such as food, we could get possibly sick from the food that originally was getting produced. The role of regulation is one of the most controversial in the bureaucracy. The bureaucrats regulate almost everything from nuclear power plant to food additives.
From the begging of Americas government to 1887, there was barely any regulation. The few regulation that they had was with the state and local authorities, and was the opponents disputed even the minimal regulation for both the state and local. After the case between Munn v. Illinois, which was involved with the right of the state of Illinois to regulate charges and services with the Chicago's warehouse, the congress created it's first regulation firm. This first regulation firm was called ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission), there role was to regulate the railroads, their prices,and services to the farmers.
Still confused about regulation? Check this video out!
~Deregulation~
Deregulation is the exact opposite of regulation. Instead of the government being hands on with the producers product, they are uplifting on restrictions. The idea behind deregulation was the fact that many people were complaining about how complicated and burdensome regulation is. To many regulation ruin the markets forces and produces the following problems:
Deregulation is the exact opposite of regulation. Instead of the government being hands on with the producers product, they are uplifting on restrictions. The idea behind deregulation was the fact that many people were complaining about how complicated and burdensome regulation is. To many regulation ruin the markets forces and produces the following problems:
- Raising Prices
- Hurting Americas competitive position abroad
- Failing to work abroad
Still confused about deregulation? Check this link out!
~Controlling The Bureaucracy~
The congress has a very unique relationship with the bureaucracies. The congress thinks that the bureaucracies are very agreeable . When the congress is lost about a certain policy, they hope that the bureaucracy has an answer to them. So, as you can see the congress really depend on the bureaucracy for some major issues. There are also some challenging things that the congress has with the bureaucracy. Congress most of the time have a problem with controlling the bureaucracy. Here is some ways that might override the bureaucracy:
The congress has a very unique relationship with the bureaucracies. The congress thinks that the bureaucracies are very agreeable . When the congress is lost about a certain policy, they hope that the bureaucracy has an answer to them. So, as you can see the congress really depend on the bureaucracy for some major issues. There are also some challenging things that the congress has with the bureaucracy. Congress most of the time have a problem with controlling the bureaucracy. Here is some ways that might override the bureaucracy:
- Influence the appointment of the heads of the agency.
- Alter the budget of that agency
- Hold hearings
- Rewrite the legislation so that its more detailed.
- Appoint the right people to be the head of that agency.
- Issue orders to that agencies
- Alter the agency's budget.
Still confused on controlling the bureaucracy? Check out this video!
~Iron Triangles~
When agencies, groups, committees, etc, depend on each other they are called iron triangles. The decisions that these iron triangles make bind the larger institutions, like the White House and Congress. This is because both of these institutions are very busy, so they are don't have the time to fret about the iron triangles.
When agencies, groups, committees, etc, depend on each other they are called iron triangles. The decisions that these iron triangles make bind the larger institutions, like the White House and Congress. This is because both of these institutions are very busy, so they are don't have the time to fret about the iron triangles.
Still confused about iron triangles? Check out this video.