This document discusses the key aspects of bureaucracy according to Max Weber, including hierarchy, specialization, and explicit rules. It also outlines the three main functions of the federal bureaucracy: implementation, regulation, and adjudication. Finally, it provides a brief history of reforms that have impacted the US federal bureaucracy, such as the Pendleton Act establishing civil service exams and the Hatch Act regulating political activities.

1. POL 205
Fall 2018

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

12.  #1: Implementation (Administrator)
 How will congressional laws be implemented?
 #2: Regulation (Rule Maker)
 What rules will govern implementation?
 #3: Adjudication (Judge)
 What happens if someone breaks rules?

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

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

17.  Interstate Commerce Act (1887)
 Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)
 Meat Inspection Act (1906)
 Federal Reserve Act (1914

18.  Hatch Act (1939)
 FDR and the New Deal
 Civil service employees and political campaigns
 Sunshine and Sunset Laws
 Sunshine: Open Meetings
 Sunset:Timetable for Legislation

20. Interest Group
AARP
Congressional
Committee
Select Committee
on Aging
Bureaucratic
Agency
Social Security
Administration