What gives the bureaucracy its power? How does it make policy? What checks do the three branches of government have on the bureaucracy?
Answers should be 3-5 paragraphs.
The 21st Century American Government and Politics textbook describes a bureaucracy as being “an organization marked by hierarchical division of labor, internal specialization, and adherence to fixed rules.” This organization has not always existed considering the Framers did not plainly mention it in the Constitution. However, the Constitution does grant the President with powers to appoint various officials. For this reason, it is technically the President who holds constitutional authority over the bureaucracy although Congress does play its own role in the bureaucratic division by overseeing it and creating various agencies and departments within it.
When examining what gives the bureaucracy its power, it is valuable to …show more content…
“The bureaucracy makes policy through implementation, or applying general policies to given cases. Agencies transform abstract legal language into specific plans and organizational structures” (“Policymaking, Power, and Accountability in the Bureaucracy,” section 14.2 from the book 21st Century American Government and Politics). The three-way relationship among Congress, bureaucrats, and special interest lobby groups known as the “iron triangle” is also important during bureaucratic policymaking. Within this alliance, “members of the iron triangle work together to create policy that serves their interests” (SparkNotes Editors). Additionally, during the rule-making process, the bureaucracy is allowed to create rules that will influence how programs operate. Similar to actual laws, these rules created be federal agencies must be followed. Sometimes, the quasi-judicial powers to resolve disputes and hear appeals over policy are also granted to
Answers should be 3-5 paragraphs.
The 21st Century American Government and Politics textbook describes a bureaucracy as being “an organization marked by hierarchical division of labor, internal specialization, and adherence to fixed rules.” This organization has not always existed considering the Framers did not plainly mention it in the Constitution. However, the Constitution does grant the President with powers to appoint various officials. For this reason, it is technically the President who holds constitutional authority over the bureaucracy although Congress does play its own role in the bureaucratic division by overseeing it and creating various agencies and departments within it.
When examining what gives the bureaucracy its power, it is valuable to …show more content…
“The bureaucracy makes policy through implementation, or applying general policies to given cases. Agencies transform abstract legal language into specific plans and organizational structures” (“Policymaking, Power, and Accountability in the Bureaucracy,” section 14.2 from the book 21st Century American Government and Politics). The three-way relationship among Congress, bureaucrats, and special interest lobby groups known as the “iron triangle” is also important during bureaucratic policymaking. Within this alliance, “members of the iron triangle work together to create policy that serves their interests” (SparkNotes Editors). Additionally, during the rule-making process, the bureaucracy is allowed to create rules that will influence how programs operate. Similar to actual laws, these rules created be federal agencies must be followed. Sometimes, the quasi-judicial powers to resolve disputes and hear appeals over policy are also granted to