The Presidency

& the
Executive Branch
The President and the Pyramid
• 1999: Bill Clinton is President. Seattle,
WA is hosting a meeting of the World
Trade Organization. The WTO has drawn
the ire of numerous anti-globalization
activists. Clinton, while free trade, wanted
to take some of the protestors’
suggestions and make them a part of
policy.
The Base or the Structural Level
• International: The U.S. has long advocated for
global policies of free trade and economic
interdependence. This system has resulted in
stability and prosperity for many nations abroad.
At the same time, there are many foreign losers.

• International: Commerce has advanced to the

point where physical boundaries are less
relevant.
The Base or the Structural Level
• Economy: America’s companies and
workers have largely benefited from the
free trade system.
The Base or the Structural Level
• Society: The American people are largely
ambivalent to free trade. They resent it
when it’s perceived to have cost them
jobs. They give it rhetorical support
otherwise.
The Base or the Structural Level
• Constitution: Treaties are the law of the
land under the constitution. America has
ratified many treaties impacting free trade.
 Political Linkages
• Interest Groups: Business want free trade
expansion and incorporation of rules
favorable to them in trade agreements.
• Interest Groups: Labor groups oppose
free trade.
• Interest Groups: Many left leaning
organizations oppose free trade.
 Political Linkages
• Protests, Demonstrations- Should this be
added to the pyramid? The interest
groups protests’ take on a life of their own.
At times they become violent.
 Political Linkages
• The Media: They cover the protests and
attempt to get at the angst that causes
them. They serve to bring attention to
(some of the) protestors’ causes.
• Elections: President Clinton wants to help
Al Gore become President in 2000.
 The Parties
• Democrats: President Clinton has worked
hard to create a new perception for
Democrats. He supports free trade. At
the same time, many in his party, including
labor, oppose free trade expansion.
• Republicans: Poised to support
candidates against Democrats. If they can
take advantage of free trade riffs, they will.
(Typically close to business)
 Political Linkages
• Public Opinion: Public usually rhetorically
supports free trade. There are no
galvanizing events at this time to rally
them to the anti-free trade crowd.
Protestors may hurt the cause’s image
among the public.
 Government
• Congress: Tends to be slightly free trade
absent some galvanizing event.
• Courts: Non-player for now.
 Governmental Level
• President Clinton: Strong believer in free
trade with protections for the environment.
Feels pressure from interest groups on
both sides.
 Policy
• So the President endorses both sides…
calls for more labor protection and
environmental protections in WTO but
supports more trade.
Federal Bureaucracy
 Federal Bureaucracy
• The totality of the departments and
agencies of the executive branch of the
national government.
 Hostile Political Culture
• Americans generally distrusting of
government.
 Civil Servants
• Civil Service: Federal Government jobs
held by civilian employees excluding
political appointees.
• Civil Servant: Government workers
employed under the merit system. These
are not political appointees.
 Bureaucratic Hodgepodge
• Incoherent organization… few clear lines
of responsibility.
• Divided control: Bureaucracy in many
ways answers to two bosses- Congress
and the President.
 The Evolution of the Federal
Bureaucracy in America
• Post Civil War: Except for military in the
south, fairly small. Bureau for unclaimed
lands and Indian Affairs. Ag in response
to farm crisis.
• Early 20th Century: Bureaucracy expands
to meet new needs: food and drug act,
banking, anti-trust laws. Prohibition and
anti-communism.
 The Evolution of the Federal
Bureaucracy in America
• The Great Depression and the New Deal:
Work for unemployed (WPA), relief for the
poor, Social Security, agricultural
subsidies, labor law enforcement.
• WWII: Some war time controls and
rationing.
• Post-WWII: CIA, Department of Defense,
Atomic Energy Commission, Anti-
communism
 The Evolution of the Federal
Bureaucracy in America
• The Regulatory State: Environmental
protection, urban affairs, consumer
protection, drug safety, education
• The Reagan Devolution: From 1980-2001
we saw increasing rollbacks of
government. The war on poverty was
surrendered. Less oversight on the
economy. Increase in war on drugs.
Welfare reform. Largely Republican led.
 The Evolution of the Federal
Bureaucracy in America
• Post 9/11: Homeland Security Department
and the nationalization of airport
security/baggage staff. Increase in scope
of activities for NSA, CIA, FBI
 The Executive Branch
• Departments
• Bureaus and Agencies
• Independent Executive Agencies report to the
President
• Government Corporations: TVA, USPS
• Quasi governmental orgs- Government
involvement, outside control
• Independent Regulatory Commissions- Control
vested outside of political authority. (SEC)
• Foundations- Private orgs with federal $$ and
input.
 Bureaucrats’ Jobs
• Execute the law
• Regulating (Fleshing out the law)
• Adjudicating (not courts)
 Civil Servants and Political
Appointees
• Civil Servants- Career oriented. Usually
with agency for years. Have protections
from political firings.
• Political Appointees- Usually come in at
the top of the bureaucracy. Serve at the
whim of the President. Much more
ideological. Only there for a short time.
Public Pressure and Bureaucracies
• Public pressures bureaucracies usually
only indirectly… public does pressure
Congress and President directly.
• President and Congress provide often
contradictory or incomplete “orders” to
bureaucracies after public pressure.
 President’s Control over the
Bureaucracy
• Not absolute… ex. branch implements
law.
• Civil Servants have merit employee
protection.
• President doesn’t completely control the
agencies purse.
• Usually exercised through appointment of
bureaucratic heads. Also has power to
attempt to change the law, executive order
 Congressional Control over the
Bureaucracy
• Not direct… more removed than the
President’s.
• Oversight: Are agencies doing what
they’re supposed to be doing.
• Appropriations: He who has the gold
makes the rules…
• Law: Executive branch implements and
bound by the law… Congress can change.
 Congressional Control over the
Bureaucracy
• Confirm Agency Heads
• Inspector Generals
 Reforming the Bureaucracy
• Reorganizing bureaucracies
• Privatizing government services
• Whistleblower protections