This document summarizes the structure and functions of the federal bureaucracy in the United States. It outlines that the federal bureaucracy is made up of cabinet-level departments, independent agencies, regulatory boards and commissions, and government corporations. It also describes the roles that bureaucrats play as administrators who implement laws, rule makers who create detailed regulations, and judges who interpret laws. Additionally, it discusses how congressional committees, interest groups, and the courts provide checks on bureaucratic power and influence policymaking.

1. POL 140
Fall 2014

7.  Charged with carrying out responsibilities of
federal government
 Includes executive branch departments,
agencies, boards, and commissions

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
 Specialization
 Explicit Rules
 Merit
Max Weber

18. HIERARCHY
 Clear chain of command
SPECIALIZATION
 Tasks are divided

19. EXPLICIT RULES
 Limited in personal
discretion
 Standardization and
predictability
MERIT
 Hiring and promotions
based on objective criteria
 Subjective measures
(e.g. family connections)
should NOT play role

21.  Administrator
 Rule Maker
 Judge

22.  Implements and administers laws
 Serves in professional and non-partisan way
 Examples:
 Park Rangers
 Police Officers

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

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

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

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

28. Congressional
Committee
Select Committee
on Aging
Interest Group
American Association of
Retired Persons
Bureaucratic
Agency
Social Security
Administration

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

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