The document discusses the role and functions of bureaucracy. It defines bureaucracy as a large organization with specialized knowledge divided into clear hierarchies. Bureaucracies translate democratic intentions into actions as public agencies. Advantages include efficiency, but responsiveness may suffer. The document also discusses the merit system versus the spoils system for hiring and promotions. Key functions of bureaucrats are executing laws, rulemaking to interpret laws, and adjudicating rule violations. The executive branch structure is also outlined, including the Executive Office of the President, Cabinet Departments, bureaus/agencies, government corporations, and independent agencies/commissions.

1. The Bureaucracy
Dr. Christopher S. Rice

3. Bureaucracy
A large organization in which
people with specialized knowledge
are organized into a clearly
defined hierarchy of bureaus and
offices, each of which has a
specified mission.

4. Bureaucracy
Public agencies that translate
the intent of democratic
institutions into action.

5. Advantages?

6. 4

8. Disadvantages?

9. Efficiency
vs.
Responsiveness

10. The Merit System

11. The Merit System
• Spoils System dominated the 19th
and (most of the) 20th century
bureaucracy.

12. The Merit System
• Spoils System dominated the 19th
and (most of the) 20th century
bureaucracy.
– “It’s not what you know, but who you
know…”

13. The Merit System
• Spoils System dominated the 19th
and (most of the) 20th century
bureaucracy.
– “It’s not what you know, but who you
know…”
• Merit System: people hired &
promoted on basis of qualifications
& job performance, not political
connections.

14. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Execution of laws
• Rule-Making (Regulation)
– Rulemaking – the process of deciding
exactly what the laws passed by Congress
mean.
– Rule – statement by a federal agency that
interprets a law and prescribes the specific
action an agency will take to implement
that law.

15. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Execution of laws
• Rule-Making (Regulation)
– Rulemaking – the process of deciding
exactly what the laws passed by Congress
mean.
– Rule – statement by a federal agency that
interprets a law and prescribes the specific
action an agency will take to implement
that law.

16. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Execution of laws
• Rule-Making (Regulation)
– Rulemaking – the process of deciding
exactly what the laws passed by Congress
mean.
– Rule – statement by a federal agency that
interprets a law and prescribes the specific
action an agency will take to implement
that law.

17. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Rule-Making (cont’d.)
– Federal Administrative Procedures Act
– Certain minimum standards must be met
when making rules.
– Interest group participation

18. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Rule-Making (cont’d.)
– Federal Administrative Procedures Act
– Certain minimum standards must be met
when making rules.
– Interest group participation

19. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Rule-Making (cont’d.)
– Federal Administrative Procedures Act
– Certain minimum standards must be met
when making rules.
– Interest group participation

20. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Adjudication – process designed to
establish whether a rule has been
violated.
– In making rules, bureaucracies act like
legislatures; in judging them they act like
courts.
– National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
– Potential problems with bureaucrats as
policymakers…

21. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Adjudication – process designed to
establish whether a rule has been
violated.
– In making rules, bureaucracies act like
legislatures; in judging them they act like
courts.
– National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
– Potential problems with bureaucrats as
policymakers…

22. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Adjudication – process designed to
establish whether a rule has been
violated.
– In making rules, bureaucracies act like
legislatures; in judging them they act like
courts.
– National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
– Potential problems with bureaucrats as
policymakers…

23. So what do bureaucrats do,
exactly?
• Adjudication – process designed to
establish whether a rule has been
violated.
– In making rules, bureaucracies act like
legislatures; in judging them they act like
courts.
– National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
– Potential problems with bureaucrats as
policymakers…

24. Structure of the
Executive Branch

25. Executive Office of the
President (EOP)

26. Cabinet Departments

28. Bureaus and Agencies

29. Government
Corporations

30. Independent Executive
Agencies

31. Independent Regulatory
Commissions