American Government
Chp. 7—The Executive Branch at Work
Section 1: The
Federal Bureaucracy
Objectives:
Ø
What is the federal bureaucracy?
Ø
What is the civil service and how has it changed
over the years?
What is the federal bureaucracy:
l
Bureaucracy is any organization that has:
o
o
o
l
Federal bureaucracy contains all the agencies &
departments of the executive branch:
o
o
o
o
l
Largest employer in America—
l
Federal appointees …
l
Bureaucrats—
o
Career employees—
o
Hired according to expertise—
The Civil Service:
l
Civilians employed …
l
Changes throughout … :
o
The Spoils System—
1.
Use of government …
2.
Started with …
3.
Led to massive corruption & graft—
o
Civil Service Reform—
1.
1871—
2.
1881—
3.
1883—
l
Changes throughout American History (cont.):
o
The Civil Service Today
1.
Congress has …
2.
1978—Civil Service Reform Act—
a.
Office of Personnel Management—
b.
Federal Labor Relations Authority—
c.
US Merit System Protection Board—
3.
Managing the civil service …
Section 2:
Executive Departments & Independent Agencies
Objectives:
Ø
What is the purpose of the executive departments?
Ø
What are the primary functions of executive
departments today?
Ø
What are the independent agencies?
Ø
What are some issues regarding power &
accountability in the federal bureaucracy?
Executive Departments—The Cabinet:
l
Growth of the American cabinet:
o
State, Treasury…
o
Since 1870, …
l
Roles of the Cabinet:
o
Advise the …
o
Manage the …
o
Report to Congress—
o
Carry out the…
Independent Agencies:
l
Government offices that …
l
Formed by Congress to address …
l
Three types:
o
Executive Agencies—
o
Regulatory Commissions—
o
Government Corporations—
Power & Accountability in the Federal Bureaucracy
l
Constitutional Control …
l
Presidential appointments …
l
Congressional oversight …
l
Laws can …
l
“The Iron Triangle” can …
l
When Congress, private …
l
Can limit the role …
Section 3:
Financing Government
Objectives:
Ø
How does the federal government pay for its
operations?
Ø
What are the two types of government spending?
Ø
How does the federal budget process work?
Ø
How do fiscal and monetary policy affect the
nation's economy?
Paying for the Government:
l
Income Taxes
o
…
o
…
o
59% of …
o
Progressive tax—
Paying for the Government (cont.):
l
Payroll Taxes
o
Deducted from paycheck—
o
Regressive tax—
o
Proportional tax—
o
Social…
l
Other sources of funding:
o
Tariffs—
o
Fines—
o
Fees—
l
Borrowing Money
o
…
o
Bonds—
o
Increased sale of bonds…
o
Sum total of …
Government Spending:
l
Mandatory Spending
o
required by law—
o
…
o
…
l
Discretionary Spending
o
part of the budget process—
o
…
Budget Process:
l
The President’s Budget
o
Since 1921, …
o
…
l
Budget in Congress
o
Starts…
o
Several key …
o
Must be complete by July 1st—
Fiscal & Monetary Policy:
l
Fiscal Policy
o
Deals …
o
Attempts …
o
Involves …
l
Monetary Policy
o
Deals with …
o
Federal Reserve …
1.
…
2.
Manages the rules for banking—