THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
The federal government is a complex system of organization which functions are based on specific rules. It is made up of department, agencies, authorities, and commissions which may exist within each other or act independently. Given a chance, I would work in the Department of Health and human services which protects the health of all Americans and provide human services especially to those who cannot do it for themselves. One because good health is a requirement for every individual and therefore an essential service for everyone regardless of their position and power providing a ground for job security. Two because it sits at the center of every department and institution and every aspect of the government especially the economic aspect.
About two-thirds of the federal jobs are distributed through a competitive process overseen byte Office of Personnel which involves a written examination. The remaining third is distributed to individual agencies using their merit-based criteria. The president receives nominations and suggestions from party officials, political allies, and sometimes close advisors. The president may appoint loyal allies to key positions a tradition referred to as the Spoils system which was challenged on July 2nd,1881 when Charles Julius Guiteau, a strong supporter of the system, shot president Garfield because he had repeatedly denied him a diplomatic posting in Paris. Garfield’s assassination prompted Congress to put limits on the system through the Pendleton Act that also created the Civil service system.
It is often hard to distinguish between a politician and a bureaucrat since they both work under the government but a politician is the one who works for the creation of rules that benefit people whereas a bureaucrat implements those laws. Another distinction is that politicians are elected and sometimes nominated while bureaucrats are always selected based on certain eligibility criteria. Lastly, a politician’s role is often to rule a country or state while a bureaucrat’s act like advisers for the politicians.
Reference
Kaufman, H. (2011). The administrative behavior of federal bureau chiefs. Brookings Institution Press.
Eaton, D. B. (1881). The” spoils” System and Civil Service Reform in the Custom-house and Post-office at New York (No. 3). GP Putnam’s Sons.