The President and the Bureaucracy

I.    Historical Development

    A.    "Government by Gentlemen"

    B.    The Spoils System

    C.    The Pendleton Act (1883)

        1.    Provisions and Purpose

        2.    Development and Expansion

II.    Bureaucratic Powers

    A.    Specialized Knowledge

    B.    Interest Group Alliances

    C.    Congressional Alliances

    D.    The "Iron Triangle"

        1.    Essence

        2.    Analysis of Process

III.    Presidential Efforts to Control the Bureaucracy

    A.    Use of White House Staff

    B.    Enlargement of EOP

    C.    Personnel Management

    D.    Reorganization

        1.     Nixon's "Superdepartments"  (An attempt by Nixon to control government was the creation of four  "super" departments:

        (1) Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

        (2) Community Development

        (3) Economic Affairs

        (4) Human Resources. 

        Among other things, the effect would have been to weaken the clientele-related Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and Transportation, while enhancing the protection      of natural resources. Because of Nixon's resignation, the "reorganization" never came about.)

        2.     Carter's Reorganization Project (The Grace Commission made almost 2,500 recommendations for reorganization including the elimination of unnecessary duplication of authority and responsibility.  The Reagan administration supported the recommendations but because congressional action was needed, virtually none were adopted.)

        3.     Clinton's National Performance Review Efforts (Report; Program Critique #1; Program Critique #2)