For each of the following points, describe a factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence. The president has control over the budgets of the agencies, as does the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The president can deprive an agency of its power by not allocating funds to it. Courts can limit bureaucratic power through their decisions, and Congress can rewrite laws that affect how agencies are run and what their functions are. When federal agencies set rules, they often hold public hearings to allow citizens to participate. If there is a violation of bureaucratic rules by a citizen or a company, the bureaucracy has the last word. Bureaucrats also like to make amends with lawmakers, as lawmakers could easily cut the agency`s budget in the coming years. Both authorities and legislators benefit from the specialized research and other information that the thematic groups can provide. And – when they withdraw from government – interest groups offer bureaucrats and politicians practical and lucrative jobs in the private sector.

The federal bureaucracy promulgates regulations (the rules under which federal and state programs operate) through an administrative process known as regulation. Regulations can be challenged in court, and they are not enforced until legal issues have been resolved. There are two events that make the bureaucracy grow: wars and economic decline. In these times, the government is providing more funding and expanding programs. However, once an agency is created or money is given and programs are created, they are very difficult to dismantle. For this reason, bureaucracies are growing, even if the president is a proponent of a smaller government. While not creating policy per se, federal agencies do have policy-making capabilities. Since the Great Depression and World War II, federal agencies have implemented numerous public policies on issues such as the economy, education, general welfare, and public safety. There are also independent agencies with very specific tasks. This includes the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates product safety and issues recalls; the Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates air, soil and water quality; the Federal Reserve (or “the Fed”), which sets interest rates and regulates U.S. domestic banking and bond markets; and NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which conducts space exploration activities.

The federal bureaucracy has sweeping powers over American citizens and businesses. Some complain about this, arguing that since bureaucrats are not elected, they should not wield such great power over the day-to-day affairs of Americans. Bureaucracy also controls how most taxpayers are spent. In the early days of our democracy, bureaucracy was often used for patronage purposes – supporters of the ruling politician were appointed to convenient federal jobs in exchange for their support. This changed largely due to widespread corruption and incompetence in the late 1800s. One concept you`ll hear in AP US Government & Politics is an iron triangle. ® Iron triangles are relationships between federal agencies, the congressional committees that oversee them, and interest groups. These three institutions interact frequently and tend to influence each other`s decisions. Because interest groups can provide policymakers with money and local support, committees tend to give stakeholders` opinions a significant impact on the policy-making process. Like the media, bureaucracy is often seen as the fourth branch of government. In reality, it is part of the executive.

The heads of the various departments – the Secretary of State or the Minister of Defense or the Attorney General – are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Quickly review popular literary works like The Great Gatsby and more The federal bureaucracy, as a member of the executive branch, exercises significant independence in the implementation of government policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are public sector employees organized according to a benefit system. Define a key characteristic of the performance system. You should also try to remember the names of some executive agencies (state) and some independent agencies (NASA) and be able to succinctly say what they do. This will help if you come across a FRQ on bureaucracy on the AP US Government & Politics exam. ® Good luck. As mentioned earlier, bureaucracy is largely executive power.