Federal Bureaucracy and The challenge of Effectiveness Hakim - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Federal Bureaucracy and The challenge of Effectiveness

Hakim Guidoum North Carolina Central University

Presentation Outline

• Why bureaucracy and effectiveness ?
• Development of the federal bureaucracy in

the United States

• Comparative view of the American

bureaucracy

• Size and effectiveness
• Political influence on bureaucratic

performance

• What is the alternative ?

Why bureaucracy and effectiveness ?

• A current major debate
• Two completely different visions
• Academic debate with ideological and

political background

Development of the federal bureaucracy in the United States

• Spoils system
• Civil service reform act (1883)
• The rise of the welfare state
• The Hatch Act ( 1939)
• National security bureaucracy

Development of the federal bureaucracy in the United States

• Source: Office of Management and Budget, A New Era of Responsibility

Renewing America’s Promise, Table S-1. (2010).

Comparative view of the American bureaucracy

• Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Tables 1.1.5 ( 2010).

Size and effectiveness

• Bureaucracy growth is an inevitable step to

accommodate the development of society.

• Bureaucracy growth is driven by public

demands, political preferences, and interests groups.

• Downsizing bureaucracy without study can

have a negative impact on its effectiveness.

Political influence on bureaucratic performance

• Bureaucratic performance is related to

political balances

• Major government agencies are led by

politicians

• The issue of discretion

What is the alternative ?

• Bureaucracy remains the best available
• ption.
• Academic debate on the size of federal

bureaucracy.

• More balance between federal

bureaucracy and local bureaucracies.

• Outsourcing can help if its social

implications are considered.

Questions