MicrosoftWhat Are Some of the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Federal Bureaucracy?
This course examines the role of the federal bureaucracy in the political system. Issues explored include an examination of public understanding of and opinion about the federal bureaucracy, the federal workforce and contracting for government goods and services, the size of the federal government, the role and qualifications of political appointees, protections of civil service employees, the existence of a “Deep State,” the obligations of members of the executive branch to the president, the “take care” clause in the Constitution, “Iron Triangles” and how they work, the relationship between the federal bureaucracy and other branches of government, effective executive implementation of laws passed by Congress, public opinion and support for the federal bureaucracy, and the aging of the federal workforce.Introduction
Section 1: What Is a Bureaucracy?
Discussion and research questions
Section 2: Are Laws Made by the Bureaucracy?
Discussion and research questions
Section 3: How Can the Public Play a Role in Rulemaking by the Federal Bureaucracy?
Discussion and research questions
Section 4: Does the Federal Bureaucracy Contribute to Political Stability?
Discussion and research questions
Section 5: What Proportion of the Bureaucracy are Civil Servants versus Political Appointees?
Discussion and research questions
Section 6: What Is the History of the Growth in Numbers of Political Appointees?
Discussion and research questions
Section 7: Does a “Deep State” Exist within the Federal Government?
Discussion and research questions
Section 8: What Obligations Do Members of the Executive Branch Have When They Disagree with the President?
Discussion and research questions
Section 9: What Obligations Does the “Take Care” Clause Place upon the Executive Branch?
Discussion and research questions
Section 10: What Is an “Iron Triangle” and How Do They Work?
Discussion and research questions
Section 11: How Do Bureaucracies in Other Democracies Compare with Those in the United States?
Discussion and research questions
Section 12: Are There Common Issues between the Federal Bureaucracy and Other Branches of Government?
Discussion and research questions
Section 13: What Solutions Have Been Proposed to Improve the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Governmental Agencies?
Discussion and research questions
Section 14: What Means Have Been Used to Inhibit the Creation and Faithful Execution of the Laws?
Discussion and research questions
Section 15: Why Does the Federal Bureaucracy Have Such a Bad Reputation?
Discussion and research questions
Section 16: What Problems Are Caused by the Aging of the Federal Workforce?
Discussion and research questions
