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What it is…
• A group of specifically non-elected
officials within a government or other
institution that implements the rules,
laws, ideas, and functions of their
institution
• The Federal Government is considered a
bureaucracy primarily because it is a
complex system of organization based on
certain principles
Why we have it…
• The Constitution provides for the independent
existence of some agencies because some do
not fit within any department
• Congress seeks to protect certain agencies
from the influence of partisan and pressure
politics
• Some agencies are independent because of the
peculiar and sensitive nature of their functions
• Some are quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial –
they have certain powers, given to them by
Congress, to make laws and rule on conflicts
Examples
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC)
• Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC)
• Created by FDR to limit risks associated
with savings and investments
• The Federal Reserve – stabilizes the
economy by regulating interest rates and
the money supply
Federal Departments
• Reserved for agencies of Cabinet rank
• The Cabinet offers advice on important
ambassadors
• Ex.
• Department of State
• Regulates passports
• Department of Homeland Security
(created because of 9/11)
• Created security requirements for air travel
The President’s Cabinet
• Confirmed by the Senate
• Charged with carrying out executive
policy
• Usually belong to the same party as
the President
• Act as head of an Executive
Department and advise the President
Federal Budget
• Determines which programs will have money to
operate – authorized by Congress
• Spends more than it takes in – deficit spending
• First step in the budget cycle – bureaucrats
prepare budget requests
• President writes his budget and refers it to the
Office of Management and Budget clarification
• Includes various entitlement programs (welfare,
food stamps, etc)
• 1965 – Medicare is established as an entitlement
program to provide health care for the elderly