The document discusses the structure of the US federal bureaucracy. It outlines that there are four main types of federal administrative organizations: cabinet-level departments, independent agencies, regulatory boards and commissions, and government corporations. It also discusses some key aspects of bureaucracy, including that bureaucracies operate via hierarchies, specialization, and explicit rules. Max Weber's model of bureaucracy emphasizes hierarchy, specialization, and standardization. The roles of administrators, rule makers, and judges within bureaucracies are also outlined.

1. POL 140-07
Fall 2015

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

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

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

12.  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

13.  Service NOT provided by private business

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

17.  Administrator
 Implements and administers laws
 Professional and non-partisan
 Examples: Park Rangers and Police Officers
 Rule Maker
 Writes details of legislation; bureaucratic discretion
 Importance of judgment
 Decisions can be scrutinized by public (Federal Register)
 Judge
 Interpreting the laws
 Rules of the game”: Responsible for ensuring compliance
 Rulings can be overturned by Congress

20.  Influenced by congressional preferences,
political loyalty, and electoral support
 “To the victor go the spoils”
 Example: Jackson and Bank Funds
 FiredTreasury secretaries who would
not remove National Bank funding

21. GARFIELD ASSASSINATION PENDLETON ACT (1883)
 Signed into law by. Arthur
 Civil Service Commission
 Established beginning of merit
system for hiring in federal
bureaucracy

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

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

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

26. LEGISLATURES
 Powerful check
 Members’ views on
implementation
 Committees with
jurisdiction can request
agency testify before them
 Congress sets funding
levels for agencies
JUDICIARIES
 Agencies sued by
individuals and businesses
 Courts play minor role in
process
 Bureaucratic deference
 Agencies being out of Court’s
reach
 Time constraints