Overview

The federal bureaucracy is the administrative system responsible for implementing laws and managing public programs. It consists of hundreds of agencies and departments that perform specific functions and operate under the authority of the executive branch. Bureaucracies are vital for translating legislative goals into action.

Key Themes and Events

• Structure of the Bureaucracy: Includes cabinet departments, independent executive agencies (e.g., NASA), regulatory commissions (e.g., SEC), and government corporations (e.g., USPS). Each serves distinct purposes in executing laws.
• Merit System and Civil Service: The Pendleton Act (1883) established the merit-based system for hiring and promotion, replacing the patronage (spoils) system and professionalizing government service.
• Rulemaking Authority: Bureaucratic agencies issue rules and regulations that have the force of law. This quasi-legislative power enables detailed implementation of vague or broad congressional laws.
• Checks on Bureaucracy: Congress can hold oversight hearings, control funding, and rewrite statutes. The President can issue executive orders, appoint leadership, and reorganize agencies. Courts can review the legality of bureaucratic actions.
• Iron Triangles and Issue Networks: These describe the relationships between agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees. They illustrate how policy decisions can be shaped by longstanding interdependencies or shifting alliances.
• Accountability and Reform: Critics argue that bureaucracies can be inefficient or unaccountable. Reforms like the Freedom of Information Act and performance reviews aim to improve transparency and effectiveness.

Quick Tip

Understand the types of federal agencies and how they interact with other branches of government. Know key terms like rulemaking, implementation, and iron triangle. The CLEP exam may include questions on oversight mechanisms and agency independence.