Transcript Chapter Three Federalism - Western Oklahoma State College

Chapter Fifteen
Bureaucracy and the
Administrative State
American Government and Politics: Deliberation,
Democracy, and Citizenship
Chapter Fifteen: Learning Objectives
•
Define bureaucracy
•
Explain what bureaucrats do at
headquarters and in the field
•
Discuss, in general terms, the size and
organization of the federal
bureaucracy
Chapter Fifteen: Learning Objectives
•
Analyze how bureaucrats and elected
officials try to influence each other
•
Understand control and oversight of
the bureaucracy
•
Appraise alternatives to current
bureaucratic structures
Introduction
What is the
bureaucracy?
Who are bureaucrats?
Has the United States
turned into an
administrative state?
AP Photos
What Bureaucrats Do
How does the
bureaucracy affect
your everyday life?
Susan Walsh/AP Photo
Do you have regular
interactions with
frontline workers?
Ken Lambert/AP Photo
What Bureaucrats Do
What does the bureaucracy do?
1.
Provide information for deliberation
on policy issues
2.
Issue administrative rules which aim
for accountability and deliberation
The Bureaucracy’s Structure and Size
What is the structure of the bureaucracy?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cabinet departments
Independent agencies
Independent regulatory commissions
Government corporations
Government-sponsored enterprises
The Bureaucracy’s Structure and Size:
Jurisdiction
Sometimes issues are complex which
makes it difficult to determine
jurisdiction.
“Turf wars” and coordination problems
may make it difficult for the bureaucracy
to do its job.
The Bureaucracy’s Structure and Size:
Size of Government
While the number of people employed
by the federal government has
decreased in the late twentieth century,
the number of people employed by
state and local governments has
increased.
Outsourcing is one reason for less
federal government employment.
The Bureaucracy’s Structure and Size:
Size of Government
Source: US Offi ce of Management and Budget, Budget of the United States Government
Fiscal Year 2009—Historical Tables www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/sheets/
hist17Z5.xls
International Perspectives
The size of government
As compared to other large industrial
democracies, the United States
spends a smaller percentage of its
GDP on the public sector.
Why?
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics
How does government define, measure,
and encourage good performance by
its employees?
How do these employees seek to
influence policy?
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics
Today, most federal employees get their
jobs through the merit system, which
was created by the Pendleton Act.
Prior to the Pendleton Act, government
jobs were granted through the spoils
system.
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics
Until the mid-twentieth century, federal
employees were not allowed to unionize.
In 2008, approximately 33% of federal
employees had union representation.
The political activities of federal employees
are limited by the Hatch Act.
Pledges and Promises
Federal employees on strike
Most federal employees sign pledges
and take oaths of office. These
pledges relate to not striking against
the government and not paying to
receive their job.
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics:
Performance
Federal employees may be released for
poor work or misconduct but they do
have the right to appeal, which may
take months.
There are many concerns about waste
and fraud in government as well as the
bureaucracy’s performance.
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics:
Organizational Culture
Bureaucratic performance may depend
on organizational culture.
If an organization culture does not or
will not adapt to different
circumstances, failure of programs
may be a consequence.
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics:
Iron Triangles and Issue Networks
What are the differences between iron
triangles and issue networks?
Explain the relationship between the
bureaucracy and iron triangles and
issue networks.
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics:
Dissent and Resistance
What if bureaucrats disagree with the
president’s directives?
•
•
•
They may voice views internally
They may go “outside” and work with issue
network members
They may resist implementing a policy
Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Politics:
Bureaucrats’ Sense of Citizenship
A survey of political appointees has
shown that they perceive civil servants
to be responsible and competent.
Civil servants and political appointees
appear to have a positive working
relationship.
Control and Oversight:
Executive Branch
Two qualities for presidential appointees
Loyalty to president’s agenda
2.
Knowledge
Presidents also control the bureaucracy
through drafting spending plans and
reviewing draft rules with OMB and
OIRA.
1.
Control and Oversight:
Inspectors General
An inspector general conducts
investigations into bureaucratic
actions.
Inspector generals often receive
information from whistleblowers.
Control and Oversight:
Congress
Congress provides oversight through
•
Answering constituent concerns/complaints
•
The Government Accountability Office
•
The Congressional Review Act
Control and Oversight:
Courts
Citizens may be able to enforce laws
through “citizens suits” when the
bureaucracy cannot or will not act.
One problem with litigation to solve
problems is that courts may not be
able to resolve technical issues that
bureaucrats can.
Control and Oversight:
Press and Public Opinion
The media often overlooks the
bureaucracy but, when it does cover
it, coverage may be exaggerated.
Interest groups may be more effective
in getting the public to act on
bureaucratic issues.
Myths and Misinformation
Katrina
While there were issues with the
bureaucratic response to Katrina, the
media reported a lot of misinformation
about the disaster, which may have
had an effect on the government’s
response.
Control and Oversight:
Markets
An alternative to bureaucracy providing
services or regulating citizens’
behavior would be trying to achieve
such goals through economic
incentives and outsourcing.
The Special Case of the Military:
Comparing the Military with the Civilian
The military has more clear performance
measurements during times of war, but
during times of peace it may use the
same measurements the civilian
bureaucracy uses.
The “military-industrial complex” has
been important in American political
history.
Bureaucracy and Deliberative Democracy
New technology may allow for more of a
public role in deliberation.
As organizational cultures change and
more people see government
employment as a way to serve the
country, more opportunities for
deliberation may emerge.
Deliberation, Citizenship, and You
E-Government
The Internet allows citizens the
opportunity to interact with the
bureaucracy in many ways, whether it
is filing a complaint or registering
opinion on proposed rules.
Summary
•
The bureaucracy carries out the
government’s work
•
Bureaucrats interact with citizens and
other political actors in their jobs
•
Many ways to control the bureaucracy