15.1 Bureaucracy and the Evolution of Public Administration
3 min read•june 25, 2024
The is the backbone of government operations, implementing policies and managing public programs. It's a complex system of agencies and departments staffed by appointed officials who work under the executive branch but collaborate with other branches too.
Over time, the bureaucracy has evolved from a small system focused on basic functions to a vast network addressing diverse societal needs. This growth has brought both benefits and challenges, including issues of influence, efficiency, and accountability in modern governance.
The Bureaucracy
Role of bureaucracy in government
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The Organization of Bureaucracy | Boundless Political Science View original
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Understanding Bureaucracies and their Types | American Government View original
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The Bureaucracy: How is it structure? | United States Government View original
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The Organization of Bureaucracy | Boundless Political Science View original
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Understanding Bureaucracies and their Types | American Government View original
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Complex system of government agencies and departments implements and administers public policies and programs
Consists of appointed officials, not elected representatives
Operates under the executive branch but also collaborates with the legislative and judicial branches
Implements and enforces laws passed by Congress
Develops and manages public programs and services (Social Security, Medicare)
Provides expertise and advice to elected officials and policymakers
Regulates various sectors of the economy and society (banking, environmental protection)
Collects taxes and manages government finances
Exercises in interpreting and applying laws and regulations
Evolution of public administration
Early years (1789-1829) had limited federal bureaucracy focused on basic functions (defense, taxation, postal services)
() prevalent, government jobs given to supporters of the winning political party
(1829-1883) saw expansion of federal bureaucracy due to westward expansion and increased government responsibilities
(1883) established merit-based system (), requiring competitive exams for government jobs, aimed to reduce corruption and improve efficiency
(early 20th century) further expanded federal bureaucracy to address social and economic issues, created new agencies (, )
(1930s) brought significant growth of bureaucracy under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, established agencies (, ) to combat the Great Depression
Post-World War II era (1945-present) continued growth of bureaucracy, creating agencies (, )
Efforts to reform and streamline bureaucracy through (1978) and (1990s)
Bureaucratic influence and challenges
refers to the expanded role of government agencies in policymaking and implementation
describes the relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups in shaping policy
occurs when regulatory agencies are influenced by the industries they are meant to regulate
, such as police officers and social workers, directly interact with the public and make decisions that affect citizens' lives
arises when bureaucrats' interests diverge from those of elected officials or the public they serve
Careers in the Bureaucracy
Civil service careers and challenges
Motivations for pursuing a civil service career include:
Desire to serve the public and make a difference in society
Job stability and security, as most positions are not subject to political changes