Controlling Bureaucracies: Crash Course Government and Politics #17

Summary

In this episode of Crash Course Government and Politics, Craig explores the complexities of American bureaucracies and the common frustrations they evoke among citizens, particularly regarding taxes and regulations. He outlines various controls Congress can exert over bureaucracies, including before-the-fact and after-the-fact measures, such as legislation, oversight, and funding. The discussion also touches on broader concepts like deregulation, devolution, and privatization as means to limit bureaucratic power. Ultimately, the video emphasizes that while attempts to shrink bureaucracies are frequent, these entities remain integral to governmental functions, highlighting the inextricable link between politics and bureaucracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bureaucracies in the U.S. are often criticized for being overly complicated and costly, fueled by taxpayer funding.
• 😀 Americans tend to dislike bureaucracies primarily due to their association with taxes and regulatory constraints.
• 😀 Congressional controls over bureaucracies can be categorized into before-the-fact and after-the-fact measures.
• 😀 Before-the-fact controls involve setting limitations through careful legislation, such as restricting agency activities at the outset.
• 😀 After-the-fact controls include oversight mechanisms like hearings and investigations, which monitor agency actions after implementation.
• 😀 The appropriations process is a powerful tool for Congress to influence bureaucratic functions by adjusting funding levels.
• 😀 Reducing the size of bureaucracies can be achieved through termination, deregulation, and devolution, although termination is rare.
• 😀 Deregulation aims to reduce the number of regulations imposed by agencies, but its effectiveness can vary and may lead to negative outcomes.
• 😀 Devolution shifts regulatory responsibilities from federal agencies to state and local governments, maintaining bureaucratic functions while decentralizing control.
• 😀 Privatization transfers government functions to private entities, but the implications for cost and effectiveness are subject to debate.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this episode of Crash Course Government and Politics?

The episode focuses on the control and perception of bureaucracies within the U.S. government, examining common criticisms and ways to limit bureaucratic power.

Why do Americans generally dislike bureaucracies?

Americans tend to dislike bureaucracies because they view them as hindrances to innovation and efficiency, and they also resent the taxes that fund them.

What are the two broad categories of controls over bureaucracies mentioned?

The two broad categories are before-the-fact controls, which limit bureaucratic discretion through legislation, and after-the-fact controls, which involve oversight mechanisms.

Can you provide an example of a before-the-fact control?

A common example is Congress prohibiting agencies from funding or discussing abortions, which is established in the legislation that creates the agency.

What are after-the-fact controls and how do they function?

After-the-fact controls, often referred to as oversight, involve Congress monitoring agencies through public hearings and investigations to ensure they are acting appropriately.

How does the appropriations process serve as a control mechanism for bureaucracies?

The appropriations process allows Congress to allocate or limit funding for agencies, effectively controlling their ability to operate and carry out their functions.

What is deregulation and how does it affect bureaucracies?

Deregulation involves reducing the number of regulations that an agency can enforce, with the aim of lowering costs; however, this can lead to unexpected outcomes, as seen in the airline industry.

What does devolution mean in the context of bureaucratic control?

Devolution refers to the process of shifting regulatory responsibilities from federal agencies to state and local governments, often without reducing the overall level of bureaucratic function.

What are the potential drawbacks of privatization as a strategy to limit bureaucratic power?

While privatization may create the appearance of reducing bureaucracy, it can lead to higher costs and raise questions about effectiveness, as private entities still require funding to perform the functions.

Why is it challenging to terminate federal agencies despite calls for reduction?

Terminating federal agencies is challenging because they create constituencies that rely on their services, making it politically risky for politicians to eliminate them.