ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the goals and motives that are likely most relevant to careerists, posits a likely set of policy guides, outlines the place of standards and routines in organizing action, and examines the availability of discretion. It also discusses whether and why the careerists in a bureau would respond to a presidential administration’s political executives. The chapter explores behavioral expectations by drawing on prior empirical research into “bureaucratic politics” and organizational behaviors more generally. It outlines the criteria that policy guides should serve and then surveys the bureaucratic environment for likely sources of policy guidance. A prevailing, unifying, and recognized theme can improve coherence among a bureau’s activities by providing a well-known and legitimate direction. Popularly elected leadership thus may be a source of direction to which careerists may commonly feel beholden on a normative basis. Routines, standards, and procedures thus help bureau personnel to move their workload with less managerial direction regarding the selection and coordination of action.
