Main Ideas
Professionalism in the bureaucracy
The bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government. It both regulates and enforces activities of both people and businesses. With the exception of the high ranking appointees (by the president who often picks loyal people or people he associates with) , bureaucrats are specialists in their fields. They are hired and promoted based on merit or skill.
The transition from a patronage-based bureaucracy to a merit-based system has increased the bureaucracy's professionalism and expertise. The bureaucracy is nonpartisan and career civil servants tend to span many presidential administrations, allowing for continuity in the public sector.
Powers of the federal bureaucracy to implement policy
After the president signs a bill into law or issues an executive order, the federal bureaucracy is responsible for implementing that policy. Laws may lack clear, concrete details on how they should be enacted, so the federal bureaucracy has discretionary authority to make decisions on what actions to take—or not take—when implementing laws, as well as rulemaking authority to create regulations about how government programs should operate. This authority enhances the power of the federal bureaucracy, giving it considerable jurisdiction over the implementation of government policies.
Holding the bureaucracy accountable
Congress uses its oversight powers to ensure that legislation is implemented as intended; it uses committee hearings to question agency staff and hold them accountable to their actions and decisions. Congress can also influence the behavior of a bureaucratic agency by cutting or increasing its budget; this is also known as "power of the purse."
Professionalism in the bureaucracy
The bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government. It both regulates and enforces activities of both people and businesses. With the exception of the high ranking appointees (by the president who often picks loyal people or people he associates with) , bureaucrats are specialists in their fields. They are hired and promoted based on merit or skill.
The transition from a patronage-based bureaucracy to a merit-based system has increased the bureaucracy's professionalism and expertise. The bureaucracy is nonpartisan and career civil servants tend to span many presidential administrations, allowing for continuity in the public sector.
Powers of the federal bureaucracy to implement policy
After the president signs a bill into law or issues an executive order, the federal bureaucracy is responsible for implementing that policy. Laws may lack clear, concrete details on how they should be enacted, so the federal bureaucracy has discretionary authority to make decisions on what actions to take—or not take—when implementing laws, as well as rulemaking authority to create regulations about how government programs should operate. This authority enhances the power of the federal bureaucracy, giving it considerable jurisdiction over the implementation of government policies.
Holding the bureaucracy accountable
Congress uses its oversight powers to ensure that legislation is implemented as intended; it uses committee hearings to question agency staff and hold them accountable to their actions and decisions. Congress can also influence the behavior of a bureaucratic agency by cutting or increasing its budget; this is also known as "power of the purse."