Federal Bureaucracy

Definition

The federal bureaucracy refers to the administrative organizations and departments of the government that implement and enforce laws and policies. It is composed of numerous agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Education.

Related terms

Administrative State: This term refers to the idea that the federal bureaucracy has become so large and powerful that it influences policymaking beyond what was originally intended.

Civil Service: Refers to government employees who are hired based on merit rather than through political appointments.

Regulatory Agencies: These are specific agencies within the federal bureaucracy that have been granted authority by Congress to regulate certain industries or activities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).