1.
Although they are often unpopular with the public and there are many
complaints that government is too large, bureaucracies perform important
functions for government. Describe the three main functions of bureaucracy
and provide some examples of each. How has the size of the federal
bureaucracy changed over the last 50 years?
The federal bureaucracy performs three primary tasks in government: implementation,
administration, and regulation. When Congress passes a law, it sets down guidelines to
carry out the new policies. Actually putting these policies into practice is known as
implementation.Some other examples include: collecting fees, issuing permits, giving
tests, etc. The bureaucracy has shrunk in recent years because of the increasing use of
outside contractors like private business.
3 Describe and evaluate the three key strategies politicians have used to promote
reform in the federal bureaucracy. What are some of the challenges associated with
each different approach? Explain.
Key strategies used to promote bureaucratic reform include reinventing government,
termination, devolution and privatization.An example includes Clinton in 1993 launching
the National Performance Review to reinvent and make the federal bureaucracy more
efficient, accountable, and effective. Some challenges include excessive rules,
regulations, interagency conflict, tasks are duplicated by various agencies, waste and
unchecked growth, and lack of accountability.
What is the importance of a merit system? Why is it important to the functioning of a
professional bureaucracy?
The merit system is an act based on employment rather than political affiliation, so your
experience and knowledge is what determines your eligibility for a job. It is important
because it ensures that the jobs and roles given in the professional bureaucracy is
given to the person most qualified.
