Unit 2: Bureaucracy Flashcards
Bureaucracy
Under the executive branch & its made up of millions of people who are employed to carry out the responsibilities of the federal government
Bureaucracy structure (from highest to lowest)
Cabinet secretaries, agencies, commissions, government corporations
Cabinet secretaries
Leaders of the 15 executive departments (ex: dpt of energy, dpt of defense)
Agencies
(Within the 15 executive departments)
Work together to accomplish the goals of the department
(Ex: IRS)
Commissions
Regulatory groups who operate somewhat independently of the authority of the president but still fall into the executive authority
• Run by a board of individuals and usually created for a specific purpose
(Ex: FCC)
Government corporations
Hybrid of a business and a government agency. Government acquired businesses when they wanna offer a public good, but the free market is the best way to offer that service
(Ex: PBS, who produces educational media)
What the bureaucracy does
• Makes a set of more refined rules that help the execution of laws
• Issues fines when laws are violated
• Heads of agencies will often testify before Congress, either to be held accountable for their actions, or just to give an update on the work of their agency
Delegated discretionary authority
The authority given to the bureaucracy by Congress that gives them the discretion on how to make the rules and carry out the law
Compliance monitoring
The bureaucratic agencies establish rules for certain industries and then have to do the work of making sure those industries are complying with those rules
Iron triangle
Bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups
• These groups work together and rely on one another to create policy
• Bureaucrats offer expertise to congressional committees with whom they are eager to cooperate since it’s Congress who approves funding for their departments
• Committees members wanna pay attention to interest groups because they often have policy experts who can inform them of the implications of certain policies
• Interest groups can provide funding for congressional races
Department of Homeland Security
Protects US from terrorism & controls the nation’s borders
Department of Transportation
Manages all kinds of transportation like highway and air travel
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Manages veterans’ hospitals & general welfare of American veterans
Department of Education
Manages states and their implementation of federal educational standards
Environmental Protection Agency
Works to protect environment and human health through industrial regulations
