The document is a set of lecture slides about the federal bureaucracy from the textbook "American Politics Today". It discusses the functions and makeup of the federal bureaucracy, how regulations are developed, and influences on bureaucratic rule making. It also covers expertise and criticism of bureaucracies, oversight and control of bureaucracies, and the history of the American bureaucracy from the Progressive Era to modern reforms. Public opinion on bureaucracies and hypothetical poll questions are also presented.
The document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics discussing the role and powers of the American presidency. It outlines the president's constitutional responsibilities as head of the executive branch and commander-in-chief, as well as unilateral powers like executive orders. It also discusses how presidential power has expanded in practice beyond its constitutional grants, through the growth of the federal government and the use of executive privilege. Congress acts to check presidential power through legislation and oversight of the military and foreign policy.
The document appears to be a collection of lecture slides about the Constitution and founding of the United States from a textbook. It discusses the framers of the Constitution, the political theories that influenced them, compromises made at the Constitutional Convention between large and small states and slave and non-slave states. It also summarizes the system of checks and balances established and ambiguity in some areas that has led to debate over interpretations of Constitutional powers and amendments over time. Public opinion poll questions are also included about views on the founding principles, process for amending the Constitution, and how founders would view today's government.
The document appears to be a collection of lecture slides from the textbook "American Politics Today, Fifth Edition" which covers various topics related to American politics such as understanding politics, sources of conflict, the political process, public opinion, and ideology. The slides include definitions, figures, polls, and captions but the overarching topic is introducing concepts about the US political system, conflict in American politics, and political participation.
The document appears to be from lecture slides on the topic of federalism from the textbook "American Politics Today". It discusses key concepts of federalism such as the division of power between national and state governments. It also examines how the balance of power has changed over time, with the national government taking on a larger role compared to the original intent of the Constitution. Various models of federalism are presented, and the implications of the division of power are debated. Public opinion data is also included on perspectives about federalism.
The document is a chapter from a textbook about American politics and Congress. It discusses Congress's role in the US constitutional system, including its bicameral structure with two-year terms for the House and six-year terms for the Senate. It also covers the increasing diversity of Congress, the motivations of reelection that influence members' behavior, and the formal structures of parties, committees, and leadership that impact lawmaking.
This document provides an overview of the key concepts relating to the US Constitution, including its basic structure, separation of powers, checks and balances, and judicial review. It discusses how the Constitution has been adapted over time through both formal amendments and informal changes, such as new legislation, presidential practices, and judicial interpretations. Key court cases like Marbury v. Madison that have strengthened the role of the judicial branch are analyzed. The processes for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution are also outlined.
This document outlines key concepts about American federalism from a textbook. It discusses the definition of federalism and the advantages and disadvantages of the US federal system. It also differentiates the powers granted to national and state governments by the Constitution, and assesses the role of courts in defining this relationship. Additionally, it analyzes how the national budget impacts federalism and the relationship between levels of government. It evaluates current challenges around balancing national and state power and the future of federalism.
This chapter discusses Congress, beginning with an overview of its basic facts and demographics. It describes how congressional districts are drawn and the electoral advantages incumbents enjoy. The chapter outlines the legislative process and how bills are introduced, referred to committees, amended, debated, and potentially passed and signed into law. It also reviews the leadership structure and types of committees in the House and Senate.
The document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics discussing the role and powers of the American presidency. It outlines the president's constitutional responsibilities as head of the executive branch and commander-in-chief, as well as unilateral powers like executive orders. It also discusses how presidential power has expanded in practice beyond its constitutional grants, through the growth of the federal government and the use of executive privilege. Congress acts to check presidential power through legislation and oversight of the military and foreign policy.
The document appears to be a collection of lecture slides about the Constitution and founding of the United States from a textbook. It discusses the framers of the Constitution, the political theories that influenced them, compromises made at the Constitutional Convention between large and small states and slave and non-slave states. It also summarizes the system of checks and balances established and ambiguity in some areas that has led to debate over interpretations of Constitutional powers and amendments over time. Public opinion poll questions are also included about views on the founding principles, process for amending the Constitution, and how founders would view today's government.
The document appears to be a collection of lecture slides from the textbook "American Politics Today, Fifth Edition" which covers various topics related to American politics such as understanding politics, sources of conflict, the political process, public opinion, and ideology. The slides include definitions, figures, polls, and captions but the overarching topic is introducing concepts about the US political system, conflict in American politics, and political participation.
The document appears to be from lecture slides on the topic of federalism from the textbook "American Politics Today". It discusses key concepts of federalism such as the division of power between national and state governments. It also examines how the balance of power has changed over time, with the national government taking on a larger role compared to the original intent of the Constitution. Various models of federalism are presented, and the implications of the division of power are debated. Public opinion data is also included on perspectives about federalism.
The document is a chapter from a textbook about American politics and Congress. It discusses Congress's role in the US constitutional system, including its bicameral structure with two-year terms for the House and six-year terms for the Senate. It also covers the increasing diversity of Congress, the motivations of reelection that influence members' behavior, and the formal structures of parties, committees, and leadership that impact lawmaking.
This document provides an overview of the key concepts relating to the US Constitution, including its basic structure, separation of powers, checks and balances, and judicial review. It discusses how the Constitution has been adapted over time through both formal amendments and informal changes, such as new legislation, presidential practices, and judicial interpretations. Key court cases like Marbury v. Madison that have strengthened the role of the judicial branch are analyzed. The processes for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution are also outlined.
This document outlines key concepts about American federalism from a textbook. It discusses the definition of federalism and the advantages and disadvantages of the US federal system. It also differentiates the powers granted to national and state governments by the Constitution, and assesses the role of courts in defining this relationship. Additionally, it analyzes how the national budget impacts federalism and the relationship between levels of government. It evaluates current challenges around balancing national and state power and the future of federalism.
This chapter discusses Congress, beginning with an overview of its basic facts and demographics. It describes how congressional districts are drawn and the electoral advantages incumbents enjoy. The chapter outlines the legislative process and how bills are introduced, referred to committees, amended, debated, and potentially passed and signed into law. It also reviews the leadership structure and types of committees in the House and Senate.
The document traces the evolution of presidential power in the United States from the founding era to modern times. It discusses how the founders intended a weak executive to balance legislative power, but the presidency strengthened over the 19th and 20th centuries through actions of presidents like Jackson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Wilson. Franklin Roosevelt assumed wide-ranging powers during the Great Depression and WWII that established the modern powerful presidency and expanded the federal government's role. Subsequent presidents continued consolidating executive authority.
The document outlines the role and functions of the federal bureaucracy in implementing public policy, including how it is organized into departments and agencies, how it develops regulations, collects taxes and spends money to execute laws. It also discusses how the bureaucracy is controlled by the executive and legislative branches and ways that citizens can influence the public policy process, such as by joining interest groups. The federal bureaucracy aims to translate public policy into action but faces challenges in effectiveness and public confidence.
The document is a chapter from a textbook about the American presidency that is divided into 4 sections. Section 1 discusses the growth of presidential power over time. Section 2 covers the president's executive powers such as executing laws, issuing executive orders, and appointing officials. Section 3 examines diplomatic powers like making treaties and military powers as commander-in-chief. Section 4 looks at legislative powers like recommending laws and vetoing bills, as well as judicial powers.
The document discusses the powers of the US presidency based on the Constitution and how those powers have grown over the past 200 years. It outlines the roles of the president as chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, and commander in chief. While the framers were concerned about an "imperial presidency," presidential power has expanded due to strong leaders, reliance on the federal government, and the ability to take swift action. The president must execute laws faithfully but also has appointment powers, can issue executive orders, and draws public attention through mass media, with courts sometimes limiting overreach of authority.
The power of the president is limited to persuasion 30 markeraquinaspolitics
The document discusses the powers of the U.S. president and their relationship with Congress. It notes that the president has limited power and relies on persuading Congress to pass their agenda. Some tactics presidents use to influence Congress include making calls and offers to members, inviting them to meetings, and appealing directly to the public. However, Congress can still block the president's agenda if members feel it doesn't benefit their own reelection. The president must convince Congress that supporting them is in their own self-interest.
The document discusses the roles and qualifications of the US presidency. It outlines the seven main roles of the president as chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, and chief citizen. It notes the three constitutional qualifications to be president: being at least 35 years old, a natural born US citizen, and having lived in the US for at least 14 years. It also discusses presidential terms, succession, disability, and the role and qualifications of the vice president.
This document discusses the legislative veto, which allows Congress to veto actions by agencies. It provides details on types of legislative resolutions (committee, single chamber, concurrent, joint) and examples of agencies subject to legislative vetoes. It summarizes the Supreme Court case INS v. Chadha, which ruled legislative vetoes unconstitutional for violating separation of powers and requirements for legislation in the Constitution. Congress still attempts to exert control over agencies through other means like the Congressional Review Act.
This document discusses presidential control over the bureaucracy. It begins by introducing principal-agent theory, where Congress and the president are principals that delegate authority to bureaucratic agents. It then examines the tools available to the president to influence agencies, including personnel controls like appointments; reorganization; and centralization through the Office of Management and Budget and executive orders. While presidents have significant formal powers, bureaucratic resistance and congressional oversight also limit executive control of agencies.
The West Wing is the nerve center of the Executive Branch, with the president's office being the most important. Offices closer to the Oval Office have more influence. The Situation Room is located below ground for security purposes. The president has many roles and responsibilities, including being the head of the executive branch and administration, commander-in-chief, chief diplomat, and playing a legislative and economic role. The president is aided by Cabinet departments and hundreds of independent agencies that carry out the daily operations of the federal government.
This document outlines the assignments, discussion questions, and final paper for POL 201 Entire Course: Ashford University. It includes assignments on the basic principles of the US Constitution, civil liberties and national security, the roles and relationships between levels of government, the Supreme Court process, the electoral college, the media, and policies addressing the 2008 economic crisis and environmental policy. Students are asked to discuss and analyze these various topics related to American government and politics.
Protiviti Flash report details key developments from the first 100 days of the Trump administration, from a business perspective. For more information, go to http://ow.ly/NDPm30bjnfB
This document provides an overview of key concepts related to US national party conventions, including:
1) The formal functions of conventions are to choose presidential candidates, vice presidential candidates, and decide party platforms, but these functions have been lost as candidates are now chosen in primaries and caucuses.
2) The informal, but important, functions of conventions now are to promote party unity, enthuse party members, and enthuse ordinary voters in the lead up to the general election.
3) While the formal functions have been lost, conventions still serve important purposes through their ability to rally support and motivate different groups in the run up to the November election.
The document discusses several executive powers of the President related to foreign policy. It explains that the President can make treaties with foreign nations, but these require a two-thirds approval from the Senate. The President can also make executive agreements without Senate approval. Additionally, the President has the power to recognize foreign nations and recall American diplomats. The President acts as commander-in-chief of the military and can order operations abroad without a declaration of war.
The document provides an overview of Chapter 15 from Magruder's American Government textbook, which discusses the bureaucracy of the US government. It covers the major sections of the federal bureaucracy including the executive departments, independent agencies, Executive Office of the President, and civil service. It also defines what a bureaucracy is and explains the differences between staff and line agencies as well as independent executive agencies and regulatory commissions.
The document summarizes a chapter from an American politics textbook about interest groups. It defines interest groups as organizations that aim to influence policy through electioneering and lobbying. It discusses different types of interest groups and how they are organized. It also outlines strategies interest groups use to influence policymakers, such as direct lobbying, drafting legislation, and shaping public opinion. Additionally, it examines challenges interest groups face in overcoming collective action problems and getting members to participate.
This document contains lecture slides about political parties in American politics from the textbook "American Politics Today". It discusses the history and evolution of political parties, how they organize, their roles in elections and governance, and public opinions about parties. Key points covered include the formation of the first parties, different American party systems, and increasing polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties in recent decades.
The document summarizes a chapter from the textbook "American Politics Today" about social policy in the United States. It discusses the history of social policy beginning with the New Deal era and the expansion of programs like Social Security. It also examines current key social policies and debates, including Social Security and its long-term funding challenges, the Affordable Care Act and debates around health care reform, and anti-poverty programs like welfare, Medicaid and food assistance. Public opinion on issues of equality of opportunity, the role of government, and specific social programs is also reviewed.
The document contains lecture slides from the textbook "American Politics Today" covering the topic of elections in the United States. It discusses the functions of elections, the primary and general election process, how congressional and presidential elections are determined, campaign fundamentals like fundraising and advertising, and conclusions from the 2016 election. Public opinion poll questions are also included at the end.
This document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics and public opinion. It discusses key topics around public opinion, including what public opinion is, how it is measured through polls and surveys, how opinions are formed through socialization and groups, and how public opinion can influence government policymaking. It also includes sample poll questions and additional slides with figures and photos illustrating public opinion on issues like the economy, immigration, and terrorism.
The document contains lecture slides about economic policy from the textbook "American Politics Today, Fifth Edition." It discusses the goals of economic policy, including full employment, stable prices, economic growth, balanced budgets, and balanced trade. It also outlines the key players that influence economic policy, such as Congress, the President, the Federal Reserve, and the Treasury Department. Additionally, it covers different tools and theories of economic policy, including fiscal policy, monetary policy, regulation, trade policy, and different economic schools of thought. Public opinion polls on economic issues are also presented.
The document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics discussing the role of media in politics. It covers several topics: the different types of news media and their role as watchdogs; the rise of technology and regulation of broadcast media; the emergence of conglomerates and internet sources; how politicians use media and demands on reporters; and the effects of media on public perceptions through filtering, framing and priming. It also includes sample poll questions and additional slides with images.
The document traces the evolution of presidential power in the United States from the founding era to modern times. It discusses how the founders intended a weak executive to balance legislative power, but the presidency strengthened over the 19th and 20th centuries through actions of presidents like Jackson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Wilson. Franklin Roosevelt assumed wide-ranging powers during the Great Depression and WWII that established the modern powerful presidency and expanded the federal government's role. Subsequent presidents continued consolidating executive authority.
The document outlines the role and functions of the federal bureaucracy in implementing public policy, including how it is organized into departments and agencies, how it develops regulations, collects taxes and spends money to execute laws. It also discusses how the bureaucracy is controlled by the executive and legislative branches and ways that citizens can influence the public policy process, such as by joining interest groups. The federal bureaucracy aims to translate public policy into action but faces challenges in effectiveness and public confidence.
The document is a chapter from a textbook about the American presidency that is divided into 4 sections. Section 1 discusses the growth of presidential power over time. Section 2 covers the president's executive powers such as executing laws, issuing executive orders, and appointing officials. Section 3 examines diplomatic powers like making treaties and military powers as commander-in-chief. Section 4 looks at legislative powers like recommending laws and vetoing bills, as well as judicial powers.
The document discusses the powers of the US presidency based on the Constitution and how those powers have grown over the past 200 years. It outlines the roles of the president as chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, and commander in chief. While the framers were concerned about an "imperial presidency," presidential power has expanded due to strong leaders, reliance on the federal government, and the ability to take swift action. The president must execute laws faithfully but also has appointment powers, can issue executive orders, and draws public attention through mass media, with courts sometimes limiting overreach of authority.
The power of the president is limited to persuasion 30 markeraquinaspolitics
The document discusses the powers of the U.S. president and their relationship with Congress. It notes that the president has limited power and relies on persuading Congress to pass their agenda. Some tactics presidents use to influence Congress include making calls and offers to members, inviting them to meetings, and appealing directly to the public. However, Congress can still block the president's agenda if members feel it doesn't benefit their own reelection. The president must convince Congress that supporting them is in their own self-interest.
The document discusses the roles and qualifications of the US presidency. It outlines the seven main roles of the president as chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, and chief citizen. It notes the three constitutional qualifications to be president: being at least 35 years old, a natural born US citizen, and having lived in the US for at least 14 years. It also discusses presidential terms, succession, disability, and the role and qualifications of the vice president.
This document discusses the legislative veto, which allows Congress to veto actions by agencies. It provides details on types of legislative resolutions (committee, single chamber, concurrent, joint) and examples of agencies subject to legislative vetoes. It summarizes the Supreme Court case INS v. Chadha, which ruled legislative vetoes unconstitutional for violating separation of powers and requirements for legislation in the Constitution. Congress still attempts to exert control over agencies through other means like the Congressional Review Act.
This document discusses presidential control over the bureaucracy. It begins by introducing principal-agent theory, where Congress and the president are principals that delegate authority to bureaucratic agents. It then examines the tools available to the president to influence agencies, including personnel controls like appointments; reorganization; and centralization through the Office of Management and Budget and executive orders. While presidents have significant formal powers, bureaucratic resistance and congressional oversight also limit executive control of agencies.
The West Wing is the nerve center of the Executive Branch, with the president's office being the most important. Offices closer to the Oval Office have more influence. The Situation Room is located below ground for security purposes. The president has many roles and responsibilities, including being the head of the executive branch and administration, commander-in-chief, chief diplomat, and playing a legislative and economic role. The president is aided by Cabinet departments and hundreds of independent agencies that carry out the daily operations of the federal government.
This document outlines the assignments, discussion questions, and final paper for POL 201 Entire Course: Ashford University. It includes assignments on the basic principles of the US Constitution, civil liberties and national security, the roles and relationships between levels of government, the Supreme Court process, the electoral college, the media, and policies addressing the 2008 economic crisis and environmental policy. Students are asked to discuss and analyze these various topics related to American government and politics.
Protiviti Flash report details key developments from the first 100 days of the Trump administration, from a business perspective. For more information, go to http://ow.ly/NDPm30bjnfB
This document provides an overview of key concepts related to US national party conventions, including:
1) The formal functions of conventions are to choose presidential candidates, vice presidential candidates, and decide party platforms, but these functions have been lost as candidates are now chosen in primaries and caucuses.
2) The informal, but important, functions of conventions now are to promote party unity, enthuse party members, and enthuse ordinary voters in the lead up to the general election.
3) While the formal functions have been lost, conventions still serve important purposes through their ability to rally support and motivate different groups in the run up to the November election.
The document discusses several executive powers of the President related to foreign policy. It explains that the President can make treaties with foreign nations, but these require a two-thirds approval from the Senate. The President can also make executive agreements without Senate approval. Additionally, the President has the power to recognize foreign nations and recall American diplomats. The President acts as commander-in-chief of the military and can order operations abroad without a declaration of war.
The document provides an overview of Chapter 15 from Magruder's American Government textbook, which discusses the bureaucracy of the US government. It covers the major sections of the federal bureaucracy including the executive departments, independent agencies, Executive Office of the President, and civil service. It also defines what a bureaucracy is and explains the differences between staff and line agencies as well as independent executive agencies and regulatory commissions.
The document summarizes a chapter from an American politics textbook about interest groups. It defines interest groups as organizations that aim to influence policy through electioneering and lobbying. It discusses different types of interest groups and how they are organized. It also outlines strategies interest groups use to influence policymakers, such as direct lobbying, drafting legislation, and shaping public opinion. Additionally, it examines challenges interest groups face in overcoming collective action problems and getting members to participate.
This document contains lecture slides about political parties in American politics from the textbook "American Politics Today". It discusses the history and evolution of political parties, how they organize, their roles in elections and governance, and public opinions about parties. Key points covered include the formation of the first parties, different American party systems, and increasing polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties in recent decades.
The document summarizes a chapter from the textbook "American Politics Today" about social policy in the United States. It discusses the history of social policy beginning with the New Deal era and the expansion of programs like Social Security. It also examines current key social policies and debates, including Social Security and its long-term funding challenges, the Affordable Care Act and debates around health care reform, and anti-poverty programs like welfare, Medicaid and food assistance. Public opinion on issues of equality of opportunity, the role of government, and specific social programs is also reviewed.
The document contains lecture slides from the textbook "American Politics Today" covering the topic of elections in the United States. It discusses the functions of elections, the primary and general election process, how congressional and presidential elections are determined, campaign fundamentals like fundraising and advertising, and conclusions from the 2016 election. Public opinion poll questions are also included at the end.
This document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics and public opinion. It discusses key topics around public opinion, including what public opinion is, how it is measured through polls and surveys, how opinions are formed through socialization and groups, and how public opinion can influence government policymaking. It also includes sample poll questions and additional slides with figures and photos illustrating public opinion on issues like the economy, immigration, and terrorism.
The document contains lecture slides about economic policy from the textbook "American Politics Today, Fifth Edition." It discusses the goals of economic policy, including full employment, stable prices, economic growth, balanced budgets, and balanced trade. It also outlines the key players that influence economic policy, such as Congress, the President, the Federal Reserve, and the Treasury Department. Additionally, it covers different tools and theories of economic policy, including fiscal policy, monetary policy, regulation, trade policy, and different economic schools of thought. Public opinion polls on economic issues are also presented.
The document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics discussing the role of media in politics. It covers several topics: the different types of news media and their role as watchdogs; the rise of technology and regulation of broadcast media; the emergence of conglomerates and internet sources; how politicians use media and demands on reporters; and the effects of media on public perceptions through filtering, framing and priming. It also includes sample poll questions and additional slides with images.
The document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics discussing the role of media in politics. It covers several topics: the different types of news media and their role as watchdogs; the rise of technology and regulation of broadcast media; the emergence of conglomerates and internet sources; how politicians use media and demands on reporters; and the effects of media on public perceptions through filtering, framing and priming. It also includes sample poll questions and additional slides with images.
The document appears to be a set of lecture slides from a textbook on American politics and civil liberties. It covers several key topics related to civil liberties in the US Constitution, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, search and seizure, due process, and privacy rights. It also includes sample public opinion poll questions on issues related to balancing civil liberties and national security. In addition to the text, there are some supplementary photos, figures, and captions included from the textbook.
This document provides an overview of government affairs training for chamber executives. It discusses the importance of being involved in government affairs to advocate for business interests. It outlines obstacles to advocacy and provides tips to overcome them. The document then presents a four step process to build a successful government affairs program: 1) identify priority issues, 2) spread the word to members, officials and the community, 3) develop a grassroots network, and 4) follow up and ensure accountability. Specific tactics are provided for each step, such as surveying members, informing officials of policy stances, and developing a legislative scorecard.
The document contains lecture slides from a textbook on American politics and the courts. It discusses the history and development of the judicial system, including the establishment of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison. It also covers topics like methods of judicial selection, the role of the president in appointments, and factors that influence Supreme Court decision-making. Public opinion polls at the end ask questions about issues related to the courts.
A bureaucracy is a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials that handle the everyday business of an organization based on hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules. The American bureaucracy is distinctive because political authority is shared, most agencies share functions with state/local counterparts, and there has been growth in defining and defending personal rights. Bureaucracies are subject to oversight from Congress and the public and face issues like red tape, conflicts between agencies, and a tendency to grow without considering costs or benefits. Reforms aim to make bureaucracies more efficient and customer-focused.
Chapter Two Government Institutions and Policy Actors.docxchristinemaritza
Chapter Two: Government Institutions
and Policy Actors
1
‹#›
Introduction
How does our government impact policy making?
Our form of government
Government institutions
Who else influences the policies that government makes?
What can be done to increase our policy capacity?
Discussion 1
What led to the government shutdown for 16 days in 2013?
Because of our form of government, policy actors must be able to come to agreement. Is it an acceptable negotiating strategy to threaten government shut down?
CLOSED!!!!
Brief writing, or pair-share: Write what you know about why the government shut down for 16 days in 2013.
‹#›
Implications of Shutdown
Video: (http://youtu.be/xpkTfVhfVx8)
“A US Government Shutdown: Breaking Down the Numbers.” (Sept. 27, 2013). New York Times Video showing a variety of statistics about agency closures, polling data, and more about what happens when the federal government shuts down. (Time: 1:48)
Video: http://youtu.be/xpkTfVhfVx8 “A US Government Shutdown: Breaking Down the Numbers.” (Sept. 27, 2013). New York Times Video showing a variety of statistics about agency closures, polling data, and more about what happens when the federal government shuts down. (Time: 1:48)
‹#›
How Does Our Form of Government Impact Policymaking?
Clip Art Photos
‹#›
Checks and Balances
Structure of federalism
Separation of powers of three branches
Clip Art photo
‹#›
Federalism
US government structure
Established in the 10th amendment:
“The powers not delegated to the US (federal government) by the Constitution . . . are reserved to the states or to the people.”
Shared policy making by state and federal governments
Evolution
Federalism is our form of government - Has to do with what states and federal government can make policies about.
Has been a concern since our nation’s founding. During Civil War, Lincoln had to assume a larger federal role to eradicate slavery. The states had much power.
Historically – roles were clearly states: education and transportation federal: national defense, trade
Policy capacity varies so much at state level.
‹#›
Federalism (cont’d)
Dual Federalism (historical)
Clear separation of responsibility
States: education and transportation
Federal: national defense and trade
Cooperative Federalism (contemporary)
Responsibility of states vs. federal government has blurred
Results of This Balance of Power
What are the advantages?
Distributed power across wide range of parties
Both houses of Congress and the President must agree – policies are vetted
The “people” and other actors have a great deal of input
What are the disadvantages?
Often a slow process
Gridlock
Downturn of public opinion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of distributing the power across many different policy actors?
‹#›
Policy Gridlock Occurs
Complex issues, sharp differences in ways to approach them
What are some issues right now that seem to be gridlocked?
Pho ...
The document discusses the growth and development of the United States bureaucracy from the 19th century to present day. It describes how the bureaucracy expanded in response to the Civil War, industrialization, the Great Depression, and World War II. Today the bureaucracy continues to grow modestly in terms of employees, but significantly through contracting and state/local government partnerships. Constraints on federal agencies come from laws and responsiveness to citizens.
Introduction to Public Relations-Politics and Governmentmgonzales576
This chapter discusses public relations strategies related to politics and government. It covers topics like government relations, lobbying, election campaigns, and public affairs in government. Government relations involves monitoring legislative bodies and disseminating a company's views. Lobbying involves persuading lawmakers on legislation using tactics like office visits, testimony, and advocacy ads. Election campaigns are expensive and involve fundraising, political strategists, and communicating with supporters. Public affairs aims to cooperate with government on projects that are mutually beneficial.
The document provides guidance on developing an advocacy plan for nonprofits. It recommends answering nine key questions to craft an effective yet flexible plan: (1) defining goals; (2) identifying target audiences with decision-making power; (3) tailoring persuasive messages to different audiences; (4) selecting credible messengers; (5) choosing appropriate tactics to deliver the message; (6) assessing available resources; (7) establishing a timeline; (8) evaluating progress; and (9) adjusting strategies as needed. Developing clear responses to these nine questions will help nonprofits strategically focus their advocacy efforts.
Respond to each peer initial post and question at the end with a resmickietanger
Respond to each peer initial post and question at the end with a response about 3-4 sentences long.
Peer 1
Voluntary organizations funded by public contributions have existed since the seventeenth century; however, didn’t become a unified sector until the 1970s (Renz, 2016, pg. 7). Because non-profits are diverse and complex it can be difficult to define and make inclusive to one definition. It can refer to charitable tax-exempt organizations, civic organizations that do not allow the deductibility of donations, and unincorporated organizations (Renz, 2016, pg. 3).
The non-profit sector covers a broad spectrum of public services such as hospitals, foundations, charities, religious institutions, and disaster relief organizations. Acknowledging the importance of non-profits is easy as these organizations attempt to address the issues of millions of people whether it be donations, programs, or services. Although tax exempt, government policies play a crucial role in the growing number of nonprofit organizations either indirectly by providing incentives or directly through grants and contracts (Renz, 2016, pg. 17). Non-profits don’t exist to make a profit but to use excess resources to meet needs that the government alone cannot fulfill. These organizations are not prohibited from earning revenue as long as the profit-making activities are related to the recognized program purpose.
The three main sectors private, non-profit, and the government share several similarities and key differences. One of the main differences is how their resources are handled. A non-profit organizations’ money is legally required to support its mission while private entities are able to distribute their resources to shareholders. Government agencies redirect their surplus resources back into government initiatives. Political shifts also highlight additional differences. As the political power changes so do the priorities in governmental agencies and the availability of public sector programs (The role of non-profits vs government and for profit sectors, 2015). Political shifts can garner more support and funding for non-profits but because the organizations secure funding from outside sources, programs can continue indefinitely as long as resources are available without any effect of a political change.
Non-profits are typically restricted with their work inside of the community as long as its business and mission related. Most restrictions imposed on non-profits are administered through state and federal government agencies through tax compliance, incorporation rules, and political participation.
Peer 2
What is the nonprofit sector? A nonprofit sector is an organization that provides a service(s) that is not conducted for the purpose of making a profit. The organization is sustained by donations, sales of goods and services, or by revenue from the government (Wolfe). The United States has three sectors government, private, and nonprofit. The private nonp ...
This document provides guidance on finding advocates in Congress and developing an effective government relations strategy. It outlines key steps like meeting with members of Congress and agency staff, demonstrating your product, monitoring legislation, and relationship building. It also includes a sample timeline for legislative action with activities organized by month, such as defining programs, identifying priorities, and scheduling site visits between October and September.
This document discusses a lesson on presidential introductions that is split into 5 parts. It asks how the lyrics of the song "Fortunate Son" relate to the American presidency and what the overall message of the songwriter is. The lesson aims to introduce students to concepts around the US presidency.
This document discusses fiscal policy and the multiplier effect through a series of scenarios. It explains that an increase in spending, such as from government spending or tax cuts, can have a multiplier effect as that new spending becomes income for others and continues circulating. However, increased government borrowing to fund spending can raise interest rates and "crowd out" private investment. It also discusses how fiscal policy tools like tax increases can combat inflation by reducing aggregate demand.
This document appears to be a lesson on the concept of sovereign states. It includes definitions and examples related to the four key features that define a sovereign state: a permanent population, defined territory, government, and sovereignty. It discusses topics like what makes a country a country, the roles of government, and features of a state's population and territory. The lesson uses questions, diagrams, and activities to engage students in understanding the concept of sovereign states.
The document contains certificates from the 2021 session of the HHS E-Congress certifying that 12 bills authored by students passed in the House of Representatives. The bills cover topics including minor consent to vaccines, humane disciplinary acts, increased funding for opportunities, renewable energy incorporation, teacher salary accommodation, reduction and prevention of homelessness, job programs to combat homelessness, nectar bearing flower's tax credit, and fixing the system. All bills were sponsored by the Youth Leadership Initiative.
The document appears to be a series of slides from an AP review lesson on day 2. It covers various topics related to US constitutional law and Supreme Court cases, including discussions of enumerated vs implied powers, the impact of key cases like McCulloch v. Maryland and Marbury v. Madison, and comparisons of different court cases. It also includes brief quizzes on required court cases and foundational documents like the Articles of Confederation.
The document appears to be a 14-page lesson on the 2nd Amendment and firearm regulation in the United States. It presents 4 proposals related to gun laws and asks the reader to state if they would personally support each proposal and if the Supreme Court would find it constitutional, explaining their reasoning for both. The proposals relate to restrictions on carrying handguns in public, banning high-capacity magazines, restricting gun ownership for those living with felons, and limiting the rate of fire for certain weapons.
This document provides an overview of Unit 3 in AP Government, which covers civil liberties and civil rights. It notes that the unit will include 2 chapters, 9 court cases, and 1 required document. It also provides test dates and formats for the AP exam in May, with the paper and pencil exam on May 3 at the student's high school, and the digital exam from home on May 20. The document indicates civil liberties are rooted in the Bill of Rights and protect individuals from government overreach, while civil rights rely on the 14th Amendment and protect individuals from discrimination.
The document discusses the Supreme Court nomination process. It explains that the President nominates Supreme Court justices and the Senate holds confirmation hearings and votes on whether to approve the nomination. It also discusses different judicial philosophies that influence a President's selection of nominees and how the nomination and confirmation process allows the executive and legislative branches to check the judicial branch.
This document appears to be a series of slides from an online lesson about the executive branch of the US government and bureaucracy. It includes definitions of key terms, examples of executive agencies and their roles, quizzes and discussion questions about regulations and enforcement. The goal seems to be helping students understand the large network of departments, agencies, and roles within the executive branch.
This document is a 30-page lesson on the legislative process. It includes sections on when a congressman might act as a delegate or trustee, an open-ended question, a Schoolhouse Rock video, another open-ended question on why so few bills become law, and a quiz on the legislative process. The lesson covers the typical steps bills go through in Congress, from introduction to committee work to floor debates to the president.
This document appears to be a 31-slide lesson on how Congress works. It includes slides with text, questions for students to answer, and political cartoons. The slides cover topics like the composition of Congress, differences between the House and Senate, the role of party leadership and committees, and the legislative process. The goal seems to be to educate students on the structure and functions of the U.S. Congress.
The document is a lesson about the peaceful transfer of power in the US presidency. It includes sections on Ronald Reagan's 1981 inaugural address, where he notes that the regular transfer of power through elections seems miraculous globally. It asks how cooperation in transitions safeguards the American Republic. Learners are prompted to explain why transitions illustrate the success of the US experiment or are important domestically and internationally.
This document appears to be a lesson plan on the role of media. It includes links to various news articles and videos. The lesson discusses how different types of media outlets have different agendas that influence which stories they choose to cover. It also addresses how commercial news sources make money through advertising and aim to attract audiences. The lesson quizzes students on these concepts and asks them to reflect on questions about media influence and setting the public agenda.
This document is a 50-page lesson on interest groups. It includes definitions of interest groups, examples of different types of interest groups like the Sierra Club and AARP, activities they engage in like lobbying and donating money, and quizzes about interest groups. The lesson explains how interest groups try to influence public policy and elections by informing the public, endorsing political candidates, and lobbying the government.
This document is a 38-page lesson on the connection between money and politics. It includes a Pink Floyd music video, discussion questions, explanations of terms like interest groups, political action committees (PACs), and super PACs. It also discusses how these groups can raise and spend unlimited sums to influence elections, and covers the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision that deregulated campaign finance laws. The lesson aims to explain how interest groups, political donations, and spending work within the political process in the United States.
This document is a lesson on primaries and caucuses that is presented over 35 slides. It includes information about the general process of the presidential election, a timeline activity, an election calendar, videos explaining how primaries and caucuses work, quizzes comparing primaries and caucuses, and open-ended discussion questions about advantages of each and a state's primary process. Students are asked to create a Venn diagram to contrast primaries and caucuses. The lesson provides information to help students understand the differences between primaries and caucuses and how the presidential nomination process unfolds.
The document discusses political parties and the two-party system in the United States. It includes questions about party roles, platforms, and voter registration. There are also true/false questions testing understanding of independent voters, third party candidates, party access and information, and the balance of power between parties in Congress. The purpose is to help students learn about the characteristics and functions of the two dominant political parties in the US.
This document discusses fiscal and monetary policy tools used by governments and central banks to influence aggregate demand and stabilize economies. Fiscal policy tools include changes to government spending and taxes by Congress and the President. Monetary policy tools are used by the Federal Reserve and include open market operations, reserve requirements, and interest rates. Both fiscal and monetary policies can be either expansionary or contractionary depending on whether their goal is to increase or decrease aggregate demand to address recessionary or inflationary gaps in the economy.
This document appears to be a series of lessons examining global opinion on various topics based on poll data and graphs. It includes open-ended questions asking students to summarize information, identify trends or inconsistencies, and compare opinions across different countries and time periods. Students are prompted to analyze differences in how favorably various nations view the American people versus the United States. The lesson examines topics like priorities around jobs versus the environment, views of U.S. anti-terrorism efforts, and support for continued Western military presence.
This document discusses the concept of federalism in the United States, focusing on the landmark Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland. It presents information on the enumerated and reserved powers of the federal and state governments. It also considers whether the federal government has the authority to establish a national bank and whether states can tax that bank, addressing arguments made in McCulloch v. Maryland. Open-ended questions ask about the advantages of a national bank, why states may feel threatened by one, and whether certain laws are justified by implied federal powers.
How to Fix the Import Error in the Odoo 17Celine George
An import error occurs when a program fails to import a module or library, disrupting its execution. In languages like Python, this issue arises when the specified module cannot be found or accessed, hindering the program's functionality. Resolving import errors is crucial for maintaining smooth software operation and uninterrupted development processes.
The simplified electron and muon model, Oscillating Spacetime: The Foundation...RitikBhardwaj56
Discover the Simplified Electron and Muon Model: A New Wave-Based Approach to Understanding Particles delves into a groundbreaking theory that presents electrons and muons as rotating soliton waves within oscillating spacetime. Geared towards students, researchers, and science buffs, this book breaks down complex ideas into simple explanations. It covers topics such as electron waves, temporal dynamics, and the implications of this model on particle physics. With clear illustrations and easy-to-follow explanations, readers will gain a new outlook on the universe's fundamental nature.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
it describes the bony anatomy including the femoral head , acetabulum, labrum . also discusses the capsule , ligaments . muscle that act on the hip joint and the range of motion are outlined. factors affecting hip joint stability and weight transmission through the joint are summarized.
This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
How to Manage Your Lost Opportunities in Odoo 17 CRMCeline George
Odoo 17 CRM allows us to track why we lose sales opportunities with "Lost Reasons." This helps analyze our sales process and identify areas for improvement. Here's how to configure lost reasons in Odoo 17 CRM
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
32. New Acts! Although... maybe not? Actually...yes.
Second try. Obama weighs in. Results?
Feedback. Third try! Please stand by.
How it works: in practice
It’s not hard to understand why Americans have such a strong negative view of American bureaucracy when government agencies fail at basic tasks—as in the case of Flint, Michigan, where national, state, and local authorities failed to prevent lead contamination of the city’s water supply. Flint residents like LeeAnne Walters, pictured here, confronted city and state officials with samples of contaminated water taken from their homes. Is this negative view accurate? How can we trust government to act in our interests given such failures?
Bureaucrats at different levels make rules, implement rules, and (re-)interpret rules. They are checked by oversight from Congress, the courts, and other bureaucrats (such as special inspectors’ offices and special administrative law courts).
Critics believe that bureaucracies are inherently dangerous and have too much power, but the fact is that they are at the heart of our modern, complex system of government.
It’s interesting to note that when we think of the executive branch, we generally think of the president, the president’s political appointees and policy staff, and perhaps the military. All of that is dwarfed in size by the “civil service,” which performs most of the duties of the federal government on a day-to-day basis.
Bureaucrats listen to congressional pressure; Congress can overturn statutes that give bureaucrats power and Congress controls their budgets.
Very few people participate in the “notice and comment” procedure. They neither notice nor comment! One exception to the overwhelming trend of “people not paying attention” is people whose job it is to pay attention.
This means that there is a danger that regulators (bureaucrats) will be “captured” by the industries that they regulate. (One possibility is that they may think they will be able to leave the civil service for a better-paying job in industry.)
Federal regulations affect all parts of everyday life.
Think about federal regulations for car safety. Fact: Over 30,000 people a year are killed in car accidents. That’s 10 times the number of people who died in the September 11 attacks every single year. Now think about imposing a new safety regulation. It will make cars more expensive. By definition, this hurts poor people the most. But, on the other hand, a new mandatory safety feature might save lives. Is it worth it?
This is called “cost-benefit analysis.” This basic formula is applied innumerable times by bureaucrats and fundamentally affects the safety of the world we live in. When we mandate that we have more fuel-efficient cars, we recognize that one way to achieve those standards is to make cars lighter. But lighter cars are generally less safe than heavier cars. Is the loss of safety worth the increase in fuel economy (less pollution)? These are the types of calculations that bureaucrats make every day.
Federal regulations influence many aspects of everyday life that would not seem likely to be affected by government action. The increase in the number of women’s intercollegiate athletic teams is partly due to regulations that require equal funding for men’s and women’s teams. Pictured here is the University of Connecticut’s 2016 NCAA women’s basketball championship team. @UConnWBB #TitleIX
The origins of the phrase “red tape” go back to the English practice of binding documents and official papers with red tape. It is an extremely old phrase that apparently dates to the sixteenth century, but the exact origin is obscure.
Today, the phrase “red tape” is heavily associated with what economists call “deadweight loss.” That’s when it takes a lot of extra effort to comply with a procedure but no one—neither the citizen nor the government—gains anything from it.
The existence of red tape (also known as unnecessary rules) as part of standard operating procedure is one of the reasons that the words bureaucracy and bureaucrat are commonly used in a pejorative way in everyday speech. Political scientists use it in a more value-neutral, nonjudgmental way.
Despite their policy expertise, bureaucrats still make mistakes. When the Medicare program implemented the Prescription Drug Benefit in 2006, information about the coverage was available on an easy-to-read website, but the agency soon learned that many seniors who needed the information did not know how to use a Web browser.
The principal-agent game is an important part of understanding bureaucracy. It’s somewhat related to the Juvenalian question, “Who guards the guardians?”
One example of principal-agent involves waiters in a restaurant. The owner wants them to work as quickly, efficiently, politely, and knowledgeably as they possibly can. The waiters themselves have their own goals, which might include minimizing effort, getting a few text messages in while on shift, and so on. How can management ensure their agents (the waiters) are acting the way they want? They can tie part of their pay to tips and compel their agents to have similar goals.
When Congress passes a law that mandates that regulators write rules to further a goal, Congress is the principal and the bureaucracy is the agent. What problems might arise? What can be done to minimize those problems?
When the government hires scientists—for instance, people who have worked in automotive safety and have vast expertise in the field—it is important to remember that they are still people who have opinions; they are not neutral robots!
Regulatory capture can be hard to identify. Other times, it can be astonishingly straightforward, as in the 2008 Minerals Management Service scandal, where regulators failed to enforce royalty payments by oil companies and forged documents, and in return were rewarded with sex and illicit drugs by the oil companies. For more, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/washington/11royalty.html?_r=0 or http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94482311
Many Americans believe the bureaucracy is wasteful and inefficient. Note, however, that the magnitude of negative feelings varies over time. Consider the time frame represented on the graph. What happened during these years that might explain the changes in citizens’ opinions about the government?
This cartoon of a monument to President Andrew Jackson riding a pig decries his involvement in the spoils system, which allowed politicians to dole out government service jobs in return for political support.
Progressive Era: 1883 Pendleton Act created civil service
Series of regulatory acts in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1910s gave government more power, including the Sherman Antitrust Act, Pure Food and Drug Act, and Meat Inspection Act
New Deal: Programs implemented during FDR’s first two terms (1932–1940) vastly expanded government power.
Great Society: Another expansion of the size, power, and capacity of federal government under LBJ in the 1960s. Included creation of Medicare and Medicaid and the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts.
More information on the Progressive Era
The intellectual zenith of the period of the burgeoning bureaucracy was the Progressive Era of 1890–1918. This was the era that gave us the idea of a “technocratic mindset,” where policy would be based on well-trained experts’ scientific assessment of what works—not people’s opinions and prejudices.
Progressive Era policies and agencies: the Federal Reserve, income tax; prohibition of alcohol
The Federal Reserve was thought to profit from its independence from democratic control in deciding the optimal money supply and interest rate. Supposedly, it had solved the inflation problem, the unemployment problem, and given us “the Great Moderation” (e.g., eradicated volatile business cycles). With the financial crisis, it has come under criticism.
Prohibition of alcohol was more of a moral crusade than a scientific one. Still, the basic idea was this: if alcohol causes broken families, impoverished families, violence, and disease, wouldn’t the rational thing to do be to ban it? Today, certain liberal states are rethinking the criminalization of marijuana, drawing the analogy to the prohibition of alcohol.
Under President George W. Bush the federal bureaucracy continued to expand. Programs like No Child Left Behind increased the role of government in society. #NCLB
The executive branch includes the 15 cabinet offices, as well as several independent agencies, commissions, and government corporations.
The Department of Agriculture is headed by the secretary of Agriculture and the deputy secretary of Agriculture and includes various assistant secretaries and undersecretaries for specific areas such as natural resources and the environment, farm services, rural development, and food safety.
For example, Federal Reserve appointees get 14-year terms, thus limiting their oversight.
An example of politically driven bureaucratic decision making is the Iraq War. The Office of Special Plans uses raw intelligence data rather than expert interpretations of that data when making the case for war.
One of the most intense conflicts in American political life is over the size of the federal government. Generally, Republicans say that the size of federal bureaucracy should be reduced, while Democrats tend to favor increasing the size of government programs. However, the size of government has increased steadily over time. Has the size of the bureaucracy gotten out of control? What do the numbers say?
Many Americans complain about the size of the federal government. However, their complaints do not translate into support for reductions in policy areas or cuts in specific programs that could significantly reduce spending. Based on these data, are there any kinds of proposals for significantly reducing the size of the federal government that might attract widespread support?
Think about public school teachers (who are government employees) and the requirement that they receive teacher certification. Even a person in a highly technical field (e.g., nuclear engineer) cannot simply go and teach high school calculus. This person must study education first.
Critics say this unnecessarily eliminates qualified people from becoming teachers.
Critics also say it makes no sense to give teachers civil service protections (tenure). If they’re not successfully educating kids, we should fire them.
Defenders say, “Not just anyone can teach; the study of education adds real value.” Furthermore, members of professions don’t live in constant fear of getting fired.
It is not completely clear which activities are allowed or prohibited by these laws. For example, in spring 2007, Karl Rove, deputy White House chief of staff and a close political adviser to President George W. Bush, had given briefings to senior political appointees on Republican losses in the 2006 midterm elections and plans for the 2008 campaign. During one briefing, the head of the General Services Administration asked how her agency could help elect Republican candidates in 2008. As a senior member of the White House staff, Rove was exempt from the Hatch Act’s prohibitions, but the more junior White House staff involved in the briefings probably were not.
Federal employees must be careful that their comments to the media comply with Hatch Act restrictions. President Obama’s secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Julian Castro, shown here at the Common Sense Media Awards in 2016, violated the Hatch Act when he spoke about the 2016 presidential campaign during an interview with journalist Katie Couric.
One of the problems for a new administration is finding appropriate government jobs for loyal campaign workers and contributors.
Agencies that often employ these individuals, despite their lack of qualifications, are known as “turkey farms.” These appointees generally serve without mishap, but the Bush administration’s use of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a turkey farm was cited as one reason for the agency’s inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina.
Bureaucratic drift doesn’t necessarily have to be nefarious, though is still troubling from a political control perspective. Drift is the action of experts who prioritize their views over those of Congress. It may be (fictional Parks and Recreation character) Ron Swanson refusing to do anything, or it may be an environmentalist working for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who goes beyond what she is ordered to do.
Lawmakers can also limit who runs the agency. (Can you see how politics creeps back in to the equation?) The Federal Election Commission’s six commissioners (three Republicans, three Democrats) are an example.
Topic for discussion: what’s the better route for Congress to take in bureaucratic regulation? Police patrol is costly, as it takes up valuable time and resources, but it stops problems before they start. Fire alarm is cost-efficient, but help only arrives after a problem emerged. How would Congress work if it were more inclined to practice police patrol oversight for every bureaucratic agency?
Many government regulations work as intended. An increase in regulatory attention to environmental protection and cleanup of polluted sites has dramatically improved water quality nationwide, including that of the Hudson River in New York, shown here.
Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs greatly expanded the power of the federal government and the bureaucracy. As this cartoon shows, these changes were controversial, with some seeing them as moving too much power from Congress to the president and bureaucracy.
The Senate’s power over the confirmation of senior agency officials is often used as a tool to shape agency policy and operations. Richard Cordray, the first head of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, was nominated after some senators objected to President Obama’s first nominee, Elizabeth Warren, who was a Harvard Law professor at the time.
After news of an $800,000 General Services Administration (GSA) conference at a Las Vegas resort came to light in 2012, Congress held hearings on the agency’s practices. Here, Representative John Mica (R-FL) criticizes the apparent misuse of taxpayer money.
Although the term “bureaucracy” may suggest workers sitting behind desks in offices, the agencies of the federal bureaucracy perform a wide range of tasks. Following the explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig in 2010, the Coast Guard—a government agency—responded to try to put out the fire. #DeepwaterHorizon #BPoilspill #USCG
The State Department’s backlog of passport applications is a good example of how bureaucrats’ actions (or inactions) can affect the lives and plans of ordinary Americans.
The Environmental Protection Agency created the Flint Water Advisory Task Force to coordinate federal, state, and local efforts to fix the contamination of Flint’s water supply. Besides changing the implementation of existing regulations, the task force will also investigate the need for new regulations to prevent similar problems from developing in other cities. #FlintWaterCrisis @EPAwater