Participation in Government

Unit 1 | Topic 6 | The Executive Branch at Work

What should governments do?

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Topic 6 The Executive Branch at Work

Watch the My Story Video for an introduction to the Executive Branch.

Topic 6.1

The Federal Bureaucracy

The federal bureaucracy is an effective structure that allows the government to function properly. Its employees deliver the mail, regulate business practices, collect taxes, defend the nation, administer Social Security programs, manage the national forests, explore outer space, and do dozens of other things every day. Indeed you cannot live a single day without somehow encountering the federal bureaucracy.

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Topic 6.2

The EOP and Executive Departments

The Executive Office of the President is composed of the President's closes advisors and several support agencies. Congress began to provide money for presidential staff until 1857. The 15 executive departments, the heads of which form the cabinet, do much of the work of the Federal Government.

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Topic 6.3

The Independent Agencies

Independent agencies were created to perform the work outside of the executive departments' umbrella. Congress has created a large number of additional independent agencies located outside of the executive departments. These agencies are the major mechanism through which the Federal Government carries out the nations domestic policies.

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Topic 6.4

Foreign Policy Overview

In The Federalist No. 72, Alexander Hamilton noted that the "actual conduct" of America's foreign affairs would be in the hands of "the assistants or deputies of the chief magistrate," the President. Today, most of the President's "assistants or deputies" in the field of foreign affairs are located in within the Department of State.

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Topic 6.5

Diplomacy

The State Department plays a major role in the implementation of American foreign policy. Headed by the secretary of state, the State Department is the President's right arm in foreign affairs. The President names the secretary of state, subject to confirmation by the Senate. It is the secretary of state and the Department of State that the President looks for advice and assistance in both the formulation and the conduct of the nation's foreign policy.

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Topic 6.6

National Security

There are dozens of federal agencies, in addition to the Department of State, that are involved with the nation's foreign affairs. The FBI combats terrorism and espionage here and abroad. The Public Health Service works with the United Nations and foreign governments to conquer diseases and meet other health problems in many parts of the world. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides economic help to foreign countries. The Office of the United States Trade Representative promotes the country's interests in international trade.

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