federal bureaucracy
National administrative apparatus
Federal bureaucracy refers to the administrative agencies and departments of the national government that implement laws and manage programs.
In the United States, this includes entities like the IRS, EPA, and Social Security Administration.
The term often carries negative connotations of inefficiency, excessive regulation, and impersonal procedures: Getting anything done requires navigating the federal bureaucracy.
Critics decry its size and slowness; defenders note it delivers essential services to millions.
- rulemakingAgency regulation creation process
- public policyGovernment's societal problem-solving approach
- red tapeBureaucratic obstacles to action
- paper pusherClerical worker doing routine tasks
- agencyPower to act
alphabet agency · department · congressional oversight · whistleblowing · inspector general · deep state · enforcement · executive orders · administrative law · adjudication · judicial review · revolving door · cabinet · commission · office · policymaking · implementation · rubber stamp
- civil servicecivil servants, civil servant, administrator, clerk, civil service exam
- public servicecivil servant, civil servants, government employee, public servants, public servant
federal bureaucracylocal government
Regional civic administration
city hall · state bureaucracy · county government · town council · town government
federal bureaucracyprivate sector
Economy outside government control
private enterprise · free market · small business · entrepreneurship · nonprofit sector
federal bureaucracyelected officials
Leaders chosen by vote
elected representatives · Congress · politicians · lawmakers · political appointees
federal, federalism, federalist, federalize, federalized, federation, confederate, confederation, confederacy