This document provides an overview of the structure of the US federal bureaucracy. It discusses the three main types of federal administrative entities: cabinet-level departments, independent agencies, and regulatory boards and commissions. It also outlines some of the key characteristics of bureaucracies, including their hierarchical structure, specialization of tasks, explicit rules and procedures, and emphasis on objective merit-based hiring and processes. Additionally, it examines the roles of administrators, rule makers, and judges within bureaucracies and their relationship with Congress and interest groups.

1. POL 140-10
Spring 2015

9.  Cabinet-Level Departments
 Independent Agencies
 Regulatory Boards and Commissions
 Government Corporations

11.  Fifteen Departments
 Secretary appointed by president
 What issues fall under the cabinet?
 Foreign Relations
 Agriculture
 Education

13.  Enforce regulations and create policy
 Single head appointed by president
 Narrow areas of jurisdiction
 Size varies

14.  Agency run by a small number of officials
 Appointed by the president, serve a fixed term
 Sector of economy or political arena
Federal
Communications
Commission
Food and Drug
Administration

15.  Service NOT provided by private business

17.  Hierarchy
 Chain of command
 Specialization
 Tasks are divided
 Explicit Rules
 Personal discretion limit
 Standardization, Predictability
 Merit
 Objective criteria for hiring, etc.
MaxWeber

19.  Administrator
 Rule Maker
 Judge

20.  Implements and administers laws
 Professional and non-partisan
 Examples: Park Rangers and Police Officers

21.  Writes details of legislation
 Bureaucracy is delegated legislative authority,
known as bureaucratic discretion
 Importance of judgment
 Decisions not without safeguards
 Federal Register and Public

22.  Interpreting the law in certain cases
 “Rules of the game”
 Responsible for ensuring compliance
 Rulings can be overturned by Congress

24.  Appointment Power
 The Budget Process
 Government Reorganization
 “The Power of Persuasion”

25.  Relationship between government actors:
 Congressional Committee
 Interest Group
 Bureaucratic Agency

26. Congressional
Committee
Select Committee
onAging
Interest Group
American Association of
Retired Persons
Bureaucratic
Agency
Social Security
Administration

27.  Powerful check
 Members’ views on implementation
 Committees with jurisdiction can request
agency testify before them
 Congress sets funding levels for agencies

28.  Agencies sued by individuals and businesses
 Courts play minor role in process
 Bureaucratic deference
 Agencies being out of Court’s reach
 Time constraints