User:Super ninja2/sandbox/bureaucracy in the United States
The Federal Bureaucracy, sometimes called the administrative state, is the informal term for the unelected, administrative body in the Executive Branch and the backbone of the US Government. It is arranged into departments, agencies, and commissions and consists of 15 cabinet departments, scores of regulatory agencies, and even more independent agencies. As of 2021[update], the US bureaucracy includes more than 2.1 million civilian employees.[1]
The executive branch is home to the bureaucracy that implements, oversees, and controls federal programs. However, Congress and the courts have bureaucracies of their own.[2] Public administration is a segment of the larger field of administration. It is simply regarded as bureaucracy, heedless to the fact that bureaucracy as a particular organizational form is not only found in the government, but also in private and third sector organizations.[3]
The American bureaucracy seems to be significantly smaller and leaner than that of other democracies in the developed countries. It is made up of technocrats rather than administrative elites, and it relies more on the private sector to deliver goods and services.[4]
History[edit]
Bureaucracy in the United States dates back to the American Civil War. The government grew significantly throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction era. The growth of the government generated fresh interest in bureaucracy. Although not wholly true in the United States in the 1860s, this rhetoric was generally extremely critical of both bureaucratic institutions and bureaucrats. At least some people in the north began to understand the potential of bureaucracy as a method of literary expression, as well as a method of delegating authority and structuring organizations as a result of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Bureaucracy didn't start out as a term of abuse until the 1870s, when the conservative backlash against Reconstruction led to persistent attacks on the federal government more broadly.[5]
The 1880s are often cited as the decade when the administrative state first emerged in histories of that system. Many people give special credit to two choices: the adoption of the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887 and the Pendleton Act in 1883. The administrative state didn't emerge until after 1900, when the progressive justification for it finally entered American political discourse.[6]
Structure[edit]
When electoral institutions provide clear goals for bureaucracies, provide them with sufficient resources, and give them the freedom to apply their expertise to a problem, bureaucracies function best and can make the most contributions to the process of making policies.[7]
Understanding the link between bureaucracy and electoral institutions requires an understanding of bureaucracies' characteristics as permanent, goal-oriented, and open systems. Because bureaucracies are set up to achieve goals that are focused on policy, bureaucracies naturally resist jobs that do not fit inside their goals. For example, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected Congress's order to take control of coastal wetlands (a task related to the environment) before finally being compelled to do so by Congress. Similarly, the FBI and the military were able to delay getting involved in the war on drugs until the middle of the 1980s. For bureaucracies, goals are essential. They provide the foundation for organizational socialization, and define the purpose of the bureaucracy.[7]
Foreign policy[edit]
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022) |
Bureaucracy and democracy[edit]
According to Kenneth J. Meyer, the United States is facing a severe problem with the interface between its bureaucracy and its electoral institutions. American politicians understand this, so they tend to take advantage of it by running into office by campaigning against bureaucracy using the "buzzword 'reinventing government'".[7]
The American bureaucracy, which includes the various government agencies and departments that carry out the policies and laws enacted by the legislative and executive branches of government, can have a significant impact on democracy in several ways:
Policy Implementation: The bureaucracy is responsible for implementing the policies and laws that are enacted by the elected representatives in Congress and the President. If the bureaucracy does not effectively implement these policies or fails to carry out the law as intended, it can undermine the democratic process by frustrating the will of the people.
Regulatory Capture: There is a risk that the bureaucracy can become captured by special interests, resulting in policies and regulations that favor certain groups over others. This can undermine the democratic principle of equal representation and create an uneven playing field.
Lack of Accountability: Bureaucracies can sometimes be insulated from public scrutiny and accountability, which can create a lack of transparency and democratic oversight. This can lead to abuses of power or decisions that do not reflect the needs or interests of the general public.
Bureaucratic Red Tape: Sometimes, bureaucratic procedures and regulations can be overly burdensome and complex, making it difficult for citizens to participate in the democratic process or to hold the government accountable.
To promote democracy, it is important to ensure that the bureaucracy is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the general public. This can be achieved through mechanisms such as oversight by elected officials, open public hearings, and robust feedback mechanisms that allow citizens to provide input and influence policy decisions.
Bureaucratic drift[edit]
Foreign policy[edit]
The foreign policy of the United States is influenced by a variety of factors, including national interests, international alliances, economic considerations, and historical precedents. While different presidents and administrations may have different priorities or approaches to foreign policy, there are also many structural and institutional factors that tend to promote continuity and stability in U.S. foreign policy over time.
One of these factors is the role of the U.S. bureaucracy, which includes the State Department, the intelligence community, and other agencies involved in foreign policy. These institutions have their own interests, expertise, and institutional memory, which can help to shape and reinforce certain foreign policy approaches and strategies over time.
In addition, U.S. foreign policy is also constrained by a variety of external factors, including international law, global power dynamics, and economic interdependence. These factors can limit the range of policy options available to any given administration and can create incentives for continuity and stability in U.S. foreign policy, regardless of who is in power as a president.
Finally, it is worth noting that the United States is a democratic country with a system of checks and balances, including a powerful Congress, an independent judiciary, and a free press. These institutions provide a measure of continuity and stability in U.S. foreign policy by helping to ensure that no one person or group can dominate the decision-making process or radically alter U.S. foreign policy in a short period of time.
Change of presidents and the Non-changing foreign policy[edit]
American foreign policy often exhibits a degree of continuity across presidential administrations for several reasons:
1. **National Interests:** The fundamental national interests of the United States, such as economic prosperity, national security, and maintaining global influence, remain relatively consistent over time. These interests shape the overarching goals of U.S. foreign policy, which tend to transcend partisan politics.
2. **Bureaucratic inertia:** The U.S. government's foreign policy apparatus, including the State Department, Defense Department, and intelligence agencies, is composed of career diplomats and experts with a long-term view of international affairs. These institutions have their own cultures and objectives, which can persist despite changes in political leadership.
3. **Checks and Balances:** The U.S. system of government features a system of checks and balances, with Congress playing a significant role in shaping foreign policy through legislation and funding. This can limit the ability of a president to enact radical shifts in foreign policy.
4. **International Commitments:** The United States enters into long-term international agreements, alliances, and treaties that bind the country to certain foreign policy positions. Reneging on these commitments can have significant diplomatic and strategic consequences.
5. **Global Challenges:** Many global challenges, such as terrorism, climate change, and nuclear proliferation, persist beyond individual presidential terms. Continuity in addressing these issues is often necessary for effectiveness.
6. **Expertise and Advice:** Presidents rely on the advice of foreign policy experts and career diplomats who provide a degree of continuity and institutional memory. These experts can help shape policy decisions that align with long-term national interests.
While there may be shifts in emphasis or tactics between administrations, U.S. foreign policy is generally guided by a set of enduring principles and interests that transcend partisan politics and presidential changes.
why American democracy doesn't deliver what people want[edit]
Government policy is influenced by a complex interplay of various factors, and public opinion is just one of them. Other determinants of government policy can include:
1. **Elected Officials' Beliefs and Values:** Elected officials often bring their own beliefs, values, and ideologies into policymaking. Their personal convictions can have a significant impact on the policies they support.
2. **Political Parties and Platforms:** Political parties have their own platforms and agendas, and elected officials often align with their party's positions. Party leadership and political dynamics can influence policy decisions.
3. **Constitution and Legal Framework:** The legal and constitutional framework of a country sets the boundaries within which policies must operate. Laws, the constitution, and legal precedents can shape government decisions.
4. **Economic Considerations:** Economic factors, such as budget constraints, trade considerations, and economic growth, can influence policy decisions. Government revenue, expenditure, and economic stability are key drivers of economic policies.
5. **International Relations:** Global geopolitics, alliances, and international agreements can influence foreign policy decisions. Countries often consider their international standing and relationships with other nations.
6. **Special Interest Groups and Lobbying:** Various interest groups, including corporations, advocacy organizations, and unions, can lobby government officials to support policies that align with their interests.
7. **Bureaucracy and Civil Service:** Government agencies and civil servants play a role in policy implementation. Their expertise and recommendations can shape policy decisions.
8. **Media and Public Discourse:** The media and public discourse can shape public opinion and influence policymakers. Media coverage and public discussions can bring issues to the forefront.
9. **Historical Precedent:** Past policies and their outcomes can influence current policy decisions. Governments often learn from history when crafting new policies.
10. **Crisis Situations:** National emergencies or crises can prompt governments to take actions that they might not consider under normal circumstances.
11. **Academic Research and Expert Advice:** Governments may seek input and advice from academics, think tanks, and experts in various fields when formulating policies.
It's important to recognize that these determinants can vary in influence depending on the specific issue and context. Government policies are the result of a complex interplay of these and other factors, and public opinion is just one of many inputs into the decision-making process.
See also[edit]
- Bureaucracy and democracy
- Deep state in the United States
- Federal government of the United States
- Public administration
- United States federal civil service
References[edit]
- ^ The Federal Bureaucracy in the United States
- ^ https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/american-government/the-bureaucracy/the-structure-of-the-federal-bureaucracy
- ^ ALKA DHAMEJA. CONTEMPORARY DEBATES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. (Dhameja,2003, p.2)
- ^ Rose, Richard (1985). Public Employment in Western Nations. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press
- ^ Claybaugh, Amanda. "Bureaucracy in America: De Forest's Paperwork" (PDF). Harvard University.
- ^ Postell, Joseph (2017). Bureaucracy in America: The Administrative State’s Challenge to Constitutional Government. Columbia: University of Missouri Press. ISBN 978-0-8262-2123-0.
- ^ a b c Meier, Kenneth J. "Bureaucracy and Democracy: The Case for More Bureaucracy and Less Democracy." Public Administration Review, vol. 57, no. 3, 1997, pp. 193–99. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/976648. Accessed 19 Oct. 2022.