Mastering Bureaucracy: Exam 3 Study Essentials

Chapter 14: Exam 3 Review

A bureaucracy is defined as a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

The Role of Implementation

Implementation refers to the process of putting new policies into practice after a law has been passed by Congress.

Interpreting Vague Laws

Bureaucracies use two primary methods to interpret vague laws:

• Rule Making: A quasi-legislative process that results in regulations that have the characteristics of a legislative act.
• Administrative Adjudication: A quasi-judicial process in which a bureaucratic agency settles disputes between two parties in a manner similar to the way courts resolve disputes.

Types of Bureaucratic Organizations

• Independent Agencies: These closely resemble Cabinet departments, but they are smaller and less complex.
• Government Corporations: These do not belong to any department; they stand on their own.
• Independent Regulatory Commissions: These agencies regulate important parts of the economy, making rules for large industries and businesses that affect the interests of the public.

National Security Challenges

Agencies charged with securing the nation face several major issues, including:

• Nuclear weapons (nukes) and biological weapons
• Climate change
• Cyber warfare
• Terrorism

The Treasury and Federal Reserve

• Federal Reserve System: Responsible for monetary policy, banking supervision, and financial services.
• Treasury Department: Aims to maintain a strong economy and create economic and job opportunities by promoting conditions that enable growth and stability at home and abroad.

Improving Bureaucratic Performance

Methods for improving the performance of the bureaucracy include:

• Sunshine laws
• Sunset provisions
• Privatization
• Increased incentives for efficiency
• Protection of whistleblowers

Controlling the Bureaucracy

Bureaucratic control can be utilized when behavior can be managed through market or price mechanisms.