What is the federal bureaucracy, and what are some of its characteristics?
The federal bureaucracy is large network of government agencies, commissions, and employees that have a common goal: to serve the citizens of the United States of America. The federal bureaucracy is specialized, hierarchical, and formal. That is, the different agencies and commissions have specific jobs (specialized), there is an established power order within the agencies (hierarchical), and all operate under strict rules called standard operating procedures.
Parents are complaining about offensive imagery on television during the early morning hours when children are watching television. What commission should they go to, and what is the commission's role (regulate, administrate, or implement) in fixing the problem?
These parents should go to the Federal Communications Commission, also known as the FCC. The FCC is in charge of any offensive material broadcast over the television, radio, or wire. The function of the FCC is regulatory, which means it is responsible for overseeing compliance with policies as well as creating new policies.
The federal government has many agencies and commissions in place just to watch their own federal workforce. Why are these agencies important? Describe the functions of the Office of Personnel Management, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Office of Government Ethics.
The Office of Personnel Management hires federal employees and keeps employee records. Many of its duties are secretarial. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) oversees the correct treatment of employees and recognition of achievement. Any unfair treatment of a federal employee is reported to the MSPB. Since the government gives contracts to many businesses, the Office of Government Ethics is necessary to make sure all business deals and contacts are awarded using fair and legal business tactics.
The government has different agencies responsible for protecting the many cultures represented in America. Explain the roles of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Archives and Records Administration.
The National Endowment for the Arts promotes experimentation and continued innovation in the arts while also making art accessible and meaningful to Americans. The National Endowment for the Humanities funds grants for research, education, and preservation in the humanities. The National Archives and Records Administration is responsible for the preservation and organization of all documents important to the origins and continued development of the United States of America.
The three main functions of the federal bureaucracy are implementation, administration, and regulation. Summarize each function in one or two sentences.
Implementation: The federal bureaucracy is responsible for implementing, or putting into action, the policies of the federal government. When new laws are passed, the bureaucracy is often responsible for figuring out how to put these laws in place. Administration: The federal bureaucracy is responsible for many of the everyday activities of the federal government including issuing permits and licenses and collecting fees. Regulation: The federal bureaucracy is responsible for overseeing many businesses and trade associations.
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