For This Assignment You Will Prepare An Essay In Which You W

For This Assignment You Will Prepare An Essay In Which You Will Refle

For this assignment, you will prepare an essay in which you will reflect upon the material you have studied in this unit. Make sure that your paper answers the following questions: What is the structure of the federal bureaucracy? In your opinion, should the federal bureaucracy be considered, as it is by some, as the "real government"? Why, or why not? What is the structure and role of the judiciary system? Give at least one example of how the judicial system can curb the power of the bureaucracy and one example each of how it can curb the power of the executive and legislative branches. What is the iron triangle, and how does it affect the creation of government policy? What has this unit taught you about the inner workings of the federal government? Your paper must be at least three pages in length, be double-spaced, and typed in 12-point Times New Roman font. You must use at least three academic references, one of which must come from the CSU Online Library, for the development of your paper. Make sure that all sources are cited and referenced using APA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

The structure of the federal bureaucracy is a complex hierarchical system designed to implement government policies and administer public programs efficiently. It comprises various agencies, departments, and commissions, each with specific functions and authority. The federal bureaucracy is generally organized into executive departments, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, and government corporations, operating under the executive branch's authority (Kettl, 2020). These entities work collectively to manage the day-to-day operations of government, enforce laws, and develop regulations that shape societal and economic activities.

In my opinion, whether the federal bureaucracy should be considered the "real government" is subject to debate. Some argue that the bureaucrats, through their administrative discretion and policy implementation, exercise significant influence over government functioning, effectively making them the true decision-makers. This perspective emphasizes that elected officials often set broad policy goals, but bureaucrats shape the specifics and enforcement, thereby exerting considerable power (Moe, 2016). Conversely, others contend that elected representatives and the executive branch retain ultimate authority, as they are accountable to the voters. Therefore, while bureaucrats play crucial roles, I believe they are part of a larger democratic system where elected officials ultimately direct policy, and bureaucrats serve as implementers rather than rulers.

The judiciary system is structured with a hierarchy of courts, culminating in the Supreme Court, which interprets laws, reviews regulations, and resolves disputes. Its primary role is to ensure that laws and regulations comply with the Constitution, serving as a check on the legislative and executive branches. The judiciary safeguards individual rights and maintains the rule of law by providing legal interpretations and rulings (Epstein & Walker, 2017).

An example of how the judicial system can curb the power of the bureaucracy is the 2010 Supreme Court decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, which limited the scope of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate by ruling it a tax. This decision exemplifies judicial oversight over administrative rulemaking. Conversely, the judiciary can also curb executive power; for instance, in United States v. Nixon (1974), the Supreme Court held that executive privilege does not exempt the President from judicial subpoenas, reinforcing the judiciary’s role as a check on executive authority. Regarding legislative power, the Supreme Court’s decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review, allowing courts to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution, thus curbing unconstitutional legislative actions.

The concept of the iron triangle describes the close and mutually beneficial relationships among Congressional committee members, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups. This alliance influences policy-making by prioritizing the interests of these interconnected groups over broader public interests (Carpenter & Rogers, 2018). The iron triangle can lead to policy outcomes that favor specific industries or organizations, sometimes at the expense of wider societal needs, thereby shaping the legislative agenda and administrative priorities in ways that may hinder transparency and accountability.

This unit has deepened my understanding of the federal government’s inner workings, highlighting the complex interactions among its branches and agencies. I have learned how bureaucratic agencies interpret and implement laws, how the judiciary acts as a guardian of constitutional principles, and how interest groups and legislators influence policy through interconnected relationships like the iron triangle. Recognizing these dynamics is essential for understanding the challenges and opportunities within American governance, including the importance of checks and balances in maintaining a healthy democracy.

References

• Carpenter, D., & Rogers, J. (2018). Interest groups and advocacy. Westview Press.
• Epstein, R. A., & Walker, R. (2017). The reason of judges: Constitutional government and the decisions of the Supreme Court. University Press of Kansas.
• Kettl, D. F. (2020). The transformation of governance: Public administration for twenty-first-century America. CQ Press.
• Moe, T. M. (2016). The republic of vices: The history of the modern administrative state. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 26(2), 255–272.
• Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E. W., & Borick, C. P. (2015). Introducing public administration. Routledge.