Executive Office
of the President
Cabinet
Departments
Independent
Agencies
Over the years, the American people have looked to the
federal government to do more and more things.
THE CIVIL WAR
• A watershed in the development of the bureaucracy.
• Management of the war revealed weaknesses in the federal
administration.
• War was followed by rapid industrialization, creation of
national transportation network and growth of a national
economy.
• More help was needed in government to meet the needs of
the nation.
CABINET DEPARTMENTS
• Fifteen executive departments.
• Traditional units of federal administration
• Each has a wide range of activity
• Each is headed by a secretary.*
• * Justice Department headed by the Attorney General
CABINET DEPARTMENTS
By tradition (not law) the heads of all of the departments
form the president’s Cabinet. Cabinet members offer advice
to the president about their respective areas of concern.
CABINET DEPARTMENTS
• Original: State, Treasury, Defense (War), Justice (1789)
• Most recent: Homeland Security (2002)
• Largest (# of employees): Defense
• Largest budget: Health & Human Services (Medicare)
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
• The agencies are “independent” in that they are outside
of the departments and operate largely outside of
presidential control.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
• Agencies that do not have Cabinet status.
• Some are the largest, most important independent
agencies. (EPA)
• Some are small, rarely heard of (American Battle
Monuments Commission, Migratory Bird
Conservation Commission)
INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCIES
• Created to regulate or police important parts of the
nation’s economy.
• They are largely outside the control of the president.
• There are only ten.
INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCIES
• Interstate Commerce Commission: Founded in 1887, the
oldest regulatory agency. Regulates railroads and trucking.
• Federal Trade Commission: Regulates business practices,
ensures competition in marketplace.
• Securities and Exchange Commission: Regulates stock
market trading.
• Federal Reserve Board: Governs banks; regulates money
supply.
GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONSS
• Were set up by Congress to conduct business-like activities.
• GCs are largely self-funded. Profits are re-invested in the
agency.
• More than fifty of these.
GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS
• Tennessee Valley Authority: New Deal program to harness the power of the
Tennessee River to protect farmland and provide cheap electricity.
• U.S. Postal Service: Mail (duh!) Competes with private services.
• Amtrak: Subsidizes passenger rail service.
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Provides funding and policies for public
television and radio. Most funding is private, though. Controversial – liberal
bias?
INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE AGENCIES
• Do not fall into other categories.
• Usually smaller and less complex with narrower areas of
responsibility.
• Not “regulatory.” Have a wide variety of responsibilities.
• Usually subject to presidential control.
INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE AGENCIES
• General Services Administration: Maintains federal
properties and buildings; handles supplies and purchasing.
• National Science Foundation: supports scientific research.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
administers U.S. space program.