ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the importance of bureaucracy to the basic operations of government and describes the major units of the federal bureaucracy their core functions, and how they are organized to fulfill those functions. The federal bureaucracy has changed dramatically in the course of the nation's history. Major types of units in the federal bureaucracy include cabinet departments; independent commissions; and government corporations. The chapter examines the different ways in which career civil servants and political appointees are selected for their jobs, and how those differences shape the workings of the federal bureaucracy. Most federal employees are civil servants and are appointed on the basis of merit and expertise. The chapter explains the interactions among the federal bureaucracy, the president, Congress, and the groups representing various sectors of society. It assesses efforts to reshape the federal bureaucracy to help it meet new demands while also maintaining democratic accountability.
