Heimlich's History: Understanding Federal Bureaucracy

Introduction

• Focus: Role of the federal bureaucracy in the U.S. government
• Goal: Explain how the bureaucracy carries out federal government responsibilities

What is the Federal Bureaucracy?

• Consists of millions employed to carry out federal responsibilities
• Falls under the authority of the executive branch
• Executive branch: Enforces laws passed by Congress

Structure of the Federal Bureaucracy

1. Cabinet Departments

• Total of 15 departments
• Examples include:
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Education
• Further divided into agencies

2. Agencies

• Work to accomplish departmental goals
• Example: Department of the Treasury
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Collects taxes
  • U.S. Mint: Coins and prints money

3. Independent Regulatory Commissions

• Operate somewhat apart from the president's authority
• Still associated with the executive branch
• Example: Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

4. Government Corporations

• Hybrid between government agency and private business
• Example: U.S. Postal Service

Functions of Bureaucratic Entities

Writing and Enforcing Regulations

• Example: FCC mandated closed captions in the mid-1990s

Issuing Fines for Non-compliance

• IRS fines for tax filing non-compliance
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fines for Clean Air Act violations

Interacting with Congress

• Department heads testify before congressional committees

Iron Triangles and Issue Networks

Iron Triangles

• Relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups
• Role of expertise, funding, and policy-making

Issue Networks

• Compete with and weaken iron triangles
• Example: Networks opposing tobacco interests

Efficiency and Reforms in Bureaucracy

Spoils System

• Prevalent during Andrew Jackson's presidency
• Jobs given to supporters regardless of qualifications

Civil Service Reforms

• Triggered by the assassination of President James Garfield in 1881
• Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883: Merit-based system for federal jobs

20th Century Reforms

• Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 under Jimmy Carter
• Upheld merit-based hiring, expanded opportunities for women, and increased efficiency

Conclusion

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These notes cover the key points about the federal bureaucracy discussed in the lecture, essential for understanding the structure, functions, and transformation over time.