TOPIC 6
GOVERNMENT AT WORK: THE BUREAUCRACY
The Federal Government is a huge organization….it is
responsible for delivering mail, regulating business
practices, collecting taxes, defending our nation,
administering social security programs, managing the
national forests, exploring outer space, and hundreds of
other things on a daily basis.
BUREAUCRACY
IS A LARGE COMPLEX ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE THAT HANDLES THE EVERYDAY
BUSINESS OF AN ORGANIZATION (MANY REFER TO IT AS THE “RED TAPE”). WHAT
IT IS ESSENTIALLY IS AN EFFICIENT AND AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ORGANIZE PEOPLE
TO DO WORK.
• THEY ARE FOUND WHEREVER THERE ARE LARGE ORGANIZATIONS IN BOTH THE
PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS OF THIS COUNTRY. EXAMPLES: U.S. AIR
FORCE, MCDONALDS, MTV, YAHOO, SCHOOL CITY OF HAMMOND, AND
EVEN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE ALL BUREAUCRACIES
• THERE ARE THREE FEATURES (OR PRINCIPLES) OF A BUREAUCRACY:
HIERARCHICAL AUTHORITY, JOB SPECIALIZATION, AND FORMALIZED RULES
HIERARCHICAL AUTHORITY
• STRUCTURED AS A
PYRAMID…WITH A
CHAIN OF
COMMAND
RUNNING FROM
THE TOP OF THE
PYRAMID ON
DOWN TO ITS BASE
JOB SPECIALIZATION
• EACH BUREAUCRAT (PERSON WHO WORKS FOR THE
ORGANIZATION) HAS CERTAIN DEFINED DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES. A DIVISION OF LABOR WITHIN THE
ORGANIZATION
FORMALIZED RULES
• THE BUREAUCRACY DOES ITS WORK ACCORDING TO
A NUMBER OF ESTABLISHED REGULATIONS AND
PROCEDURES. THEY ARE SET OUT IN WRITTEN FORM
SO THEY CAN BE KNOWN BY ALL WHO ARE
INVOLVED IN THAT WORK.
BENEFITS
IT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER ON
LARGE AND COMPLEX TASKS, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE.
1. SPEED ACTION BY REDUCING CONFLICTS OVER WHO HAS THE
POWER AND THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS
2. PROMOTES EFFICIENCY
3. WORKERS CAN ACT WITH SPEED AND PRECISION BECAUSE
DECISIONS ARE BASED ON A SET OF KNOWN STANDARDS AND
EXPECTATIONS
PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE CABINET
• ONE ASPECT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT
IS THE PRESIDENT’S CABINET (15 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
THAT AIDE THE PRESIDENT). YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
KNOWING ALL 15 DEPARTMENTS
STATE
DEPARTMENT
1789
• ADVISES THE PRESIDENT ON
FOREIGN POLICY
• NEGOTIATES AGREEMENTS
WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
• REPRESENTS
THE UNITED STATES
ABROAD AND IN
INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
1789
• PROVIDES MILITARY
FORCES TO DETER WAR
AND PROTECT THE
NATION’S SECURITY
TREASURY
DEPARTMENT
1789
• PRODUCES COINS AND BILLS
• BORROWS MONEY AND MANAGES PUBLIC DEBT
• COLLECTS TAXES
JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT 1789
• PROSECUTES
THOSE ACCUSED
OF VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW
• PROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE TO
THE PRESIDENT
• OPERATES FEDERAL PRISONS
• ATTORNEY
GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
1849
• Manages public
lands, wildlife refuges,
and national parks
• Operates
hydroelectric power
plants
• Helps Native
Americans manage
their affairs
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• ASSISTS FARMERS AND RANCHERS
• ADMINISTERS FOOD STAMP AND SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS
• INSPECTS FOOD AND ENSURES
• MANAGES NATIONAL FORESTS
QUALITY STANDARDS
1889
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
1903
• PROMOTES INTERNATIONAL TRADE,
ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
• GRANTS PATENTS AND REGISTERS
TRADEMARKS
• CONDUCTS CENSUS
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
1913
• Enforces federal laws on
minimum wages, maximum
hours, and safe working
conditions
• Administers unemployment
insurance and workers’
compensation programs
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
1953
• Funds healthcare research
programs
• Conducts programs to
prevent and control disease
• Enforces pure foods and drug
laws
• Administers Medicare and
Medicaid
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
1965
• Operates home
financing and public
housing programs
• Enforces fair housing
laws
• Administers
programs to
promote and
regulate highways,
mass transit,
railroads,
waterways, air
travel, and oil and
gas pipelines
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
1967
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
1977
• Promotes production of renewable
energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy
• Transmits and sells hydroelectric power
• Conducts nuclear weapons research
and production
• Administers federal aid to schools
• Ensures equal access to education
• Conducts educational research
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1979
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
1989
• Administers benefits,
pensions, and
medical programs
for veterans of the
armed forces
• Oversees military
cemeteries
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
2002
• Ensures border and
transportation
security
• Develops
emergency
preparedness and
response programs
• Safeguards national
infrastructure and
information systems