Bureaucracy in the Executive Branch

What Is a Bureaucracy?

• Bureaucracies are large organizations with complex structures, processes and hierarchical systems that operate government and other organizations
• Bureaucracy is a necessary system for large organizations to function, but it is also criticized as inefficient and cumbersome

Executive Branch Bureaucracy

• The Federal Government operates through a complex system of agencies, employees and procedures known as the Federal Bureaucracy
• This system works to make and administer public policy
• The majority of the Federal Bureaucracy is located within the Executive Branch, but both Congress and the Federal Courts also have their own bureaucracies

How Units Are Named

• The names of units within the Executive Branch vary greatly and are not fully standardized
• The names of departments are used for cabinet level agencies
• Common names for units within the Executive Branch include: department, agency, administration and commission
• Some units have irregular names
• Units are also frequently referred to by acronyms that are used in the place of the full name

Staff and Line Agencies

• Administrative organizations can be classified as either staff or line agencies
• Staff Agencies provide advice and support to other agencies
• Line Agencies execute government policy and directly serve the public
• The General Accounting Office is an example of a Staff Agency
• The Environmental Protection Agency is an example of a Line Agency

The Executive Branch

• The executive branch has grown significantly since the early days of the United States.
• In 1850, the executive branch employed 33,000 individuals.
• By 1940, that number had reached 1 million.

The Executive Office of the President (EOP)

• The EOP was created to help the President manage the increasingly complex executive branch.
• Early presidents relied heavily on the help of personal staff.
• The role of the EOP has expanded over time.

The Role of the White House

• The White House is responsible for providing the President with essential administrative and policy support.
• The White House oversees the President's daily schedule, manages his communications, and coordinates internal affairs.

The National Security Council (NSC)

• The NSC advises the President on national security issues.
• Important decisions related to national security are made within the NSC.
• The NSC includes key advisors from relevant government agencies.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

• The OMB helps the President develop and oversee the federal budget.
• The OMB analyzes budget proposals from various agencies and departments.
• The OMB is responsible for ensuring that government spending remains consistent with the President's priorities.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy

• The Office of National Drug Control Policy provides leadership in the effort to combat drug use and illegal trafficking.
• This office is responsible for coordinating federal drug control activities.
• This office provides financial support for drug control efforts.

The Council of Economic Advisers

• The Council of Economic Advisers provides the President with expert advice on economic policy.
• This council analyzes economic trends and recommends policy changes.
• This council oversees a wide range of economic issues, including inflation, unemployment, and trade.

The Roles of Other EOP Units

• The EOP includes a range of other units, including the Office of the Vice President, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
• Each of these units provides expertise and support to the President in a specific area.
• The EOP plays a vital role in the workings of the executive branch.

Foreign Policy

• The President leads the United States in foreign policy, guided by the Department of State
• The Open Door Policy was established to protect and expand American trade with China
• The Cold War saw the containment policy to stop the spread of communism
• The US has maintained a policy of internationalism since World War II

Post-Cold War

• The collapse of the Soviet Union saw a shift from Cold War policies
• The US has taken a more active role in global affairs
• International cooperation became more important
• The US faces new challenges such as international terrorism, the Middle East, Russia, and Afghanistan

Foreign Policy Challenges in the Early 21st Century

• The US faces challenges such as international terrorism, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq and Russia
• The US focuses on specific areas of the world such as the Arab Spring uprising in 2010 - 2013
• The US has a growing presence in the global economy illustrated by businesses within the Yuyuan Temple Bazaar in Shanghai, China

Key Terms

• Foreign Policy: Decisions and actions taken by a country to influence events and advance interests outside its borders.
• Domestic Affairs: Issues and concerns within a country's borders.
• Foreign Affairs: Issues and concerns outside a country's borders.
• Isolationism: Policy of avoiding involvement in international affairs.
• Collective Security: Agreement between nations that an attack on one is an attack on all.
• Deterrence: Building up military strength to prevent an attack.
• Cold War: Period of political and military tension between the US and Soviet Union.
• Containment: Policy of limiting the spread of communism.
• Détente: Period of eased tension between nations.
• Isthmus of Panama: Narrow strip of land connecting North and South America.
• Pearl Harbor: Surprise attack on the US by Japan in 1941.
• Harry Truman: 33rd US President, 1945-1953.
• Dwight Eisenhower: 34th US President, 1953-1961.
• John F. Kennedy: 35th US President, 1961-1963.
• Lyndon Johnson: 36th US President, 1963-1969.
• Richard Nixon: 37th US President, 1969-1974.
• Ronald Reagan: 40th US President, 1981-1989.

The State Department and Foreign Affairs

• The State Department, headed by the secretary of state, is the President's main advisor in foreign affairs.
• The President appoints the secretary of state with Senate confirmation.
• The secretary of state often travels internationally to help carry out the President's foreign policy.

Diplomatic Rights and Privileges

• International law requires the "receiving state" to protect the safety of diplomats and treat them with respect.
• Diplomatic immunity protects foreign diplomats from prosecution in the receiving state.

American Foreign Aid

• The United States provides foreign aid to other countries for various reasons.
• The Marshall Plan provided financial assistance to Western Europe after World War II to help with rebuilding.

Regional Security Alliances

• The United States is involved in a network of regional security alliances.
• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a significant alliance that was established after World War II to deter aggression in the North Atlantic region.
• NATO has expanded its scope beyond military defense to include counterterrorism and other security concerns.

The Organization of American States (OAS)

• The OAS is a multinational alliance formed in 1948 to promote stability and cooperation in the Americas.

Department of Defense

• The Department of Defense is the oldest and largest government agency in the United States.
• The U.S. Military serves in over 150 countries around the world.
• The Framers of the Constitution placed the military under civilian control to prevent potential threats to democracy.

Branches of the Military

• The three branches of the military are the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• The Army, Navy, and Air Force are major units and sub-Cabinet departments within the Department of Defense.
• Each military department is led by a civilian secretary appointed by the President and responsible for the Department of Defense.
• The Coast Guard is part of the military, but can be placed under the Department of Homeland Security in times of war.

Department of Homeland Security

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for protecting the US from terrorism.
• The Secret Service, which protects the President, is part of the DHS.
• The DHS works with other federal agencies, state troopers, and private security organizations to protect the country.
• Terrorism is defined as the use of violence to intimidate governments or societies for political or ideological reasons.

Director of National Intelligence

• The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) heads the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
• The Office of the DNI was established in 2005 after the 9/11 attacks to coordinate and share intelligence between various agencies.
• The DNI is responsible for overseeing the nation’s 17 different intelligence agencies.
• The National Counterterrorism Center investigates threats and coordinates real-time intelligence on terrorism.