- a formal structure
- a division of labor
- a set of rules/procedures by which it operates
then it is most likely a part of the bureaucracy.
All organized under the Executive Branch
Employs about 2.7 million people
Top administrators are political appointees
Most other bureaucrats are knowledgeable/skilled employees
Civil Service
the civilians who carry out the work of the federal government (i.e.-postal carrier)
Originally staffed by people friendly with the President (spoils system)
Reformed by the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 (competitive hiring based on merit)
Executive Departments
Major units of administration and policy making
Headed by Secretary
Account for roughly 60% of all government employees
Often smaller departments within each executive department
Only 3 departments to start with (State, Treasury, War)
New departments often created when issues became to big for Congress to legislate solutions
Currently 15 departments (see chart on p.198-199); Can you identify problem/response?
HHS is a good case-study on functioning of Executive Departments (read on p.197-198)
Homeland Security is the most recent addition
Defense Department is largest Executive Department by far
over 3 million employees and budget of $480 billion in 2008
