Describe the history and evolution of the federal bureaucracy. • Analyze the differences between political and civil service administration. • Describe the rise of the civil service system.

Describe the history and evolution of the federal bureaucracy. • Analyze the differences between political and civil service administration. • Describe the rise of the civil service system.

• Describe the essential functions of bureaucracy. • Analyze differences between various types of agencies and departments within the bureaucracy. • Describe how the political branches of government attempt to control the bureaucracy and

ensure accountability. • Evaluate the relationship among bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups. • Analyze the relationship between the nature and structure of American bureaucracy and Ameri-

can political culture.

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Section 6.1 Components of the Federal Bureaucracy

Upon taking office in January 2009, President Obama appointed several “czars,” White House counselors tasked with particular policy responsibilities, to oversee several policy areas. Crit- ics charged that the president was attempting to circumvent the bureaucratic process by run- ning things from the White House, rather than through the traditional executive branch departments. Critics also charged that by appointing czars who would work in the White House, rather than as assistant secretaries in the various departments, the president was avoiding the appointment process, which requires Senate confirmation. President Obama’s actions were viewed as an attempt to avoid legislative oversight, as these czars could not eas- ily be summoned to testify before Congress, nor could the products of their work be subjected to the Freedom of Information Act.

The roots of the czar concept lie in the 1939 Brownlow Commit- tee report, which brought about a reorganization of the executive branch that included the creation of the Executive Office of the Presi- dent (EOP), which led to a greater concentration of policymaking and oversight of agencies and White House departments.

Presidents with active policy agen- das often believe they can achieve better results if they do not have to rely on a large federal bureaucracy. Although the president is both chief executive and chief operating offi- cer of the executive branch, the fed- eral government is a vast organiza- tion of several million employees,

many of whom are protected by certain rules. A president can control his or her advisors in the White House because they serve at his or her pleasure, but he or she has no such author- ity over the bureaucracy. While the president can remove department and agency appointees, there are often political consequences to doing so. To be successful with Congress, presidents need the bureaucracy to implement their policy agendas.

In this chapter, we look at the bureaucracy. We examine the concept of a bureaucracy, how it developed in the United States, what it does, and how it is held accountable to the public.

6.1 Components of the Federal Bureaucracy

The federal bureaucracy is the structure of administrative agencies and departments in the executive branch that is responsible for delivering public goods and services. For instance, the Social Security Administration delivers retirement funds to older adults. The bureaucracy is also responsible for implementing laws. While Congress and the president establish intent to do something by enacting legislation, the bureaucracy must make it happen. As an example, both houses of Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, and the president enacted

Associated Press

President Obama appointed Carol Browner his energy czar in October 2009. The office was abolished in 2011. Presidents appoint czars for the sake of having more policy control concentrated in the White House.

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