Bureaucracies in the Federal Government
Sociologist Max Weber observed that modern life was composed largely of institutional bureaucracies. Though they had different functions, most bureaucracies share important characteristics. First, there is a strong division of labor. Second, bureaucracies have a clear hierarchy. A bureaucracy is also governed by very clear written rules and regulations. Finally, according to Weber, a bureaucracy is a very impersonal institution (Coser 230-233).
y present in the American federal government, which is one of the largest and most complex bureaucracies in the world. 7 million employees, working in areas such as financial administration, national defense and the postal service ("Federal government employment"). In 2005,the federal government had a total of 2. The third largest federal agency further increased the federal government by adding almost 200,000 new employees (Department of Homeland Security). In keeping with the characteristics of a bureaucracy, the federal government of the United States has a strong division of labor, as each federal agency has its assigned tasks. The federal bureaucracy certainly performs many needed functions, such as administrating the nation's defense. However, it would be able to perform its functions more efficiently through a judicious process of privatization and deregulation. Similarly, the management of highways and freeways could certainly be conducted more efficiently on a state- and local-government level. The same goes for transportation units such as Amtrak. For example, The task of administering and managing power marketing administrators such as the Tennessee Valley Authority could be privatized or regulated by states. Critics of the bloated nature of the federal government have argued that many of its functions can be privatized or delegated to state or local government. In 2003, President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security. The sheer size of this bureaucracy makes it difficult to relate to its members of a personal level. There is a strong hierarchy within each agency, and each agency is governed by a complex written system of rules and regulations.
Common topics in this essay:
Max Weber,
Amtrak Similarly,
Security Critics,
Homeland Security,
Valley Authority,
federal government,
President Bush,
federal agency,
Department Homeland,
homeland security,
department homeland security,
strong division labor,
department homeland,
strong division,
rules regulations,
division labor,
|
Acceptance Essays
