15.1 Bureaucracy and the Evolution of Public Administration

Overview of Bureaucracy

• Definition: A bureaucracy is an administrative group of nonelected officials charged with carrying out functions connected to a series of policies and programs.
• Importance: Bureaucracy is essential for providing public goods, enhancing quality of life, and stimulating economic growth.
• Scope: Found in both public and private sectors; however, public bureaucracies are accountable to various branches of government and the public.

Functions of Bureaucracy

• Roles:
  • Taxation
  • Homeland security
  • Immigration
  • Foreign affairs
  • Education
• Structure: Typically hierarchical with defined divisions of labor and unity of command.

Evolution of Public Administration

• Historical Context: Bureaucracy has existed as long as governments have, with early examples in ancient civilizations and Europe.
• Development in the U.S.:
  • Initially small under President George Washington.
  • Departments of State, Treasury, and War formed; growing postal service.
  • Growth due to centralized party politics and industrialization.

U.S. Bureaucracy Origins

• Constitutional Basis:
  • Article II, Section 2: President's authority to appoint officers and department heads.
  • Article I, Section 8: Congress's power to establish necessary services like post office, coin money, etc.
• Spoils System: Rise of patronage under President Andrew Jackson, rewarding political supporters.

Fall of Political Patronage

• Problems with Spoils System:
  • Encouraged political loyalty over merit.
  • Inefficiencies and scandals prompted calls for reform.
• Pendleton Act 1883: Established merit-based civil service.

Role of Woodrow Wilson

• Father of U.S. Public Administration:
  • Advocated for separating politics from administration.
  • Emphasized efficiency, management, and training in public administration.

Bureaucratic Growth

• Early 20th Century:
  • Establishment of regulatory bodies like ICC, Federal Reserve, and FTC.
• New Deal Era:
  • Rapid expansion under FDR during the Great Depression.
  • Creation of FDIC, NLRB, SEC, and other agencies.
• Great Society:
  • Expansion under President Lyndon B. Johnson with programs like Medicare and increased education funding.

Modern Challenges

• Public Perception: Increasing bureaucracy often met with criticism, particularly during economic challenges.
• Political Use: Politicians, like Ronald Reagan, used rhetoric against bureaucracy for political gains.
• Current Context: Ongoing debates over the size and role of government in society.

Key Takeaways

• Bureaucracy is crucial for the functioning of government.
• Its evolution has been shaped by political, economic, and social factors.
• Ongoing balance between efficiency, accountability, and size remains a central challenge.

Discussion Questions

• Why might public support for bureaucratic growth vary during different economic climates?
• How do modern politicians use sentiments against bureaucracy to their advantage?
• Consider the effectiveness of separating politics from administration.