Describe what the bureaucracy is

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Reference no: EM133354598

Case Study: Most Americans are familiar with the term "the bureaucracy", however they really struggle to explain what it is, and what it does. Nevertheless, the bureaucracy is often criticized for being full of employees (bureaucrats) that are lazy, overpaid, and wasteful in their use of American taxpayer dollars. Is that really true, or is it that just an easy target for those (like politicians) who want to aim the anger of their constituents at something tangible and relatively defenseless ?

Please enjoy watching and listening to the following ... The first is a relatively short video that provides a good explanation of what the bureaucracy is, who is part of it, and what it does ...

The second is a video recording from a PBS Newshour segment with Michael Lewis (of Moneyball, The Big Short, and the Blindside fame) that talks also about what the bureaucracy is, the professionals that are part of it, and what it is supposed to do ... (You need only to listen from the 3:40 to 5:21 mark of this video for this assignment)

The third is an audio recording from a Fresh Air podcast with David Rothkopf (former editor of Foreign Policy Magazine and currently a Daily Beast columnist) about the Deep State that takes a look at the bureaucracy, its workers, and its purpose from a slightly different perspective ... (You need only to listen from the 2:35 to 6:16 mark of this podcast for this assignment)

Did The "Deep State" Protect The Country From Trump? : Fresh Air : NPR

Questions: After reviewing these three sources on the bureaucracy, please offer your responses to the following questions ...

What is the best and most concise way to describe what the bureaucracy is ? (Hint: The last segment of Professor Sargent's video is a good place to start)

Identify ONE quality/attribute that a bureaucrat should have to be considered qualified to work in the bureaucracy ... and what is the merit principle ? (Explain briefly)

Why is it so potentially dangerous to "gut the bureaucracy" of its important personnel ?... and as always, Why does this matter ?

Reference no: EM133354598

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