Bureaucratic Agency and Policy Outcome

Bureaucratic Agency and Policy Outcome Introduction The kind of governance observed in different countries has changed over the centuries due to different developments that have been registered.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Bureaucratic Agency and Policy Outcome specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The increased industrial revolution, the increase in human population, as well as other forms of economic, social, and political developments registered in several countries across the globe have resulted into a shift from the traditional system of authoritarian government to a more devolved government. There has been an increased load on the governments due to several tasks that are supposed to be accomplished to serve the interest of the public. The increased load on government necessitated the creation of different independent government agencies to accomplish certain complex tasks to serve the interests of the public. Bureaucratic agencies are large government organizations that are charged with the responsibility of implementing public policies. Unlike the political positions that are elective, the members of such bureaucratic agencies are selected based on their expertise and experience in the respective areas of jurisdiction. Even though it may appear as though the bureaucratic agencies are independent government entities, the agencies often include other parties like the government and non-governmental organizations for support in executing their duties. The agencies have to formulate their objectives, mission, and vision. They then lay down the strategies that can be used to accomplish the mission and realize their vision and objectives. The agencies include the other parties to help realize these objectives in a cost-effective and efficient manner. However, once the agencies have been established to perform a given function, the government organs like the US Congress respect the autonomy of the agencies. The bureaucratic agencies are, in several cases, allowed to formulate their objectives and lay down their operational strategies without the government’s intervention. The agencies should develop rules that govern the actions of every individual involved in the agencies.Advertising Looking for research paper on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is necessary that the rules be applicable on every individual in implementing the policies without any kind of prejudice. Indeed, it has been observed that the bureaucratic agencies in the US treat citizens with a good standard of political equality (Bureaucracy, para.36). The ultimate effect of the implementation of such public policies is of great concern to the government and the bureaucratic agencies. The outcome will depend on the effectiveness of the policy in serving the interest of the public as well as the competence of the given agency in coordination its (policy’s) implementation. This paper focuses on the operations of one of the bureaucratic agencies in the United States. It highlights the organizational structure of the agency as well as how the structure reflects on the ability of the agency to implement the relevant public policies. The consequences of the implementation of such policies on the members of the public are also examined. Objective of the paper It has been observed that the bureaucratic agencies are charged with the responsibility of implementing different public policies. The public policies are guidelines that should be followed by the branches of the government in dealing with various social, political, or economic issues affecting the members of the public. The policies are enacted in accordance with the constitutional law of the federal government. An effective public policy will define the different decisions that can be taken by a regulatory authority to ensure that its mission is accomplished. The se ts of actions to be taken in implementing a policy define the policy output. After the policies have been implemented, there are final impacts that they have on the members of the public. These consequences are the outcomes of the policies. The objective of this paper is to examine the consequences of the implementation of the energy regulatory policies in the United States. In particular, it focuses on the relationship between Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as a bureaucratic agency, and the outcome of the implementation of policies regulating the production and use of nuclear energy in the United States. There is a brief focus on the political developments that necessitated the creation of the commission as well as the other adjustments that have been made since its inception.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Bureaucratic Agency and Policy Outcome specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Bureaucratic Agencies i n the United States The bureaucratic agencies in the United States have become necessary due to the expansion of the government of the federal states. In the contemporary society, business organizations have structures broken down to specific tasks. For instance, a business organization will have the human resource department, sales and marketing department, operations department, and many others with a line manager for each of the department. The line managers are responsible for the coordination of activities in the department and the other workers in the department are answerable the manager. The line manager, in turn, reports to the top management (the CEO or MD) of the organization. This is the same scenario with the bureaucratic agencies and the federal government of the United States. Following the industrial revolution, there was a need to have different government departments that are charged with the responsibility of performing various government functions. Bureaucracy cr eated a better way of organization of government activities. It removed the responsibilities that were centralized on the executive arm of the government that could lead to misuse of power by authoritarian leaders. Just as the business departments that have similar objectives as the organization, the bureaucratic agencies also have aims and objectives that are in line with the government objectives. Since the agencies comprise individuals that have expertise ad experience in the specific areas of assignments, they are able to execute complex tasks that would not be integrated by a single agency. Bureaucratic agencies in the United States are under the control of both the President and the Congress (Bureaucracy, para.6). This struggle for control affects the operations of the agencies that have distinct roles. Some of the agencies are concerned with coordination of all functions that generate revenue to the government. The agencies implement the fiscal and monetary policies that even tually yield revenue to the government. Some agencies are charged with the national financial management including the implementation of the budget in the federal government. In doing this, the agencies also control the economy of the government. Other agencies are concerned with the conservation or preservation of natural resources. The agencies implement the policies that are aimed at ensuring proper care of the environment.Advertising Looking for research paper on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They ensure that other players like individuals and business organizations comply with the regulations on environment management when carrying out their activities. Similar functions are observed in the sectors like transportation, agriculture, energy regulation, communication and so on. The Nuclear Energy, its Uses and its Effects Nuclear energy is a cheap source of energy in terms of its output. The energy provides good alternative to other non-renewable forms of energy that face the challenge of quick depletion since it gives a lot of energy from small units of fuel used (Nuclear power: Energy from splitting Uranium atoms Para. 1). However, this form of energy has certain associated challenges. Apart from the fact that it is costly and requires high level of expertise to be produced (Nuclear power: Energy from splitting Uranium atoms Para. 18), the energy has radioactive emissions that are harmful to the public health. The emissions are also harmful to the environment since the e xplosions can lead to massive destruction of environment within a very short period. Worst of all, nuclear weapons have been the major equipments used by terrorists to launch attacks on their enemies. The development of nuclear weapons in the mid twentieth centuries resulted into various wars on the global scene like the Cold War. Such wars have effects on the general developments of the associated nations. With the increased need to improve on the economy in different countries, there was a need to control the use of such weapons. There is need to promote international trade between various countries. The investors will only be attracted to a region that is political stable and has high level of security. It is also the role of the government to ensure that its citizens are protected from any harmful substances. The government should strive to promote the health and general security of the members of the public. Similarly, the environment has significant contribution towards the de velopment of a given country. The government has to show a lot of concern on the issues that are concerned with the conservation and management of the environment. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) About the Commission The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is bureaucratic agency in the United States that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 from the United States Atomic Energy Commission (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, para.1). The commission came into being because of the amendment of Atomic Energy Act of 1954 that led to split of the former roles of the Atomic Energy Commission. The commission is one of the numerous independent agencies established in the United States that help the Congress to discharge its duties of serving the interests of the public. The complex nature of tasks that faces the Federal government calls for the breakdown of roles to manageable categories with increased specialization. The enforcement of the different components of government laws may not be possible from a single body. The independent regulatory agencies enact and implement policies that govern operations in different sectors of the government. In this regard, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is charged with the role of the development ad implementation of rules and regulations that govern the production, distribution, and use of nuclear materials and facilities. The mission of the Commission The commission is out to regulate the use of nuclear products and byproducts by the civilian and the military of the United States to improve on the health and safety of the public, improve on the security of the members of the public, and protect the environment from harmful emissions of nuclear materials. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is described as a collegial body that ‘formulates policies, develops regulations governing nuclear reactor and nuclear material safety, issues orders to licensees, and adjudicates legal matters’ (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Para.1). The functions of the Commission In managing the different problems associated with the nuclear energy, the agency assumes different roles. Firstly, in order to improve the economy of the country by promoting international trade, the agency is aimed at preventing such terrorist acts by regulating the production and use of these deadly weapons. It ensures that the nuclear reactors are safe and secured from intrusion by unauthorized persons. The agency ensures that only licensed nuclear reactors are established within the borders of the United States. It also regulates the use of the military materials and facilities by the civilian as well as the military in the United States. This allows for the regulation of the movement of these nuclear materials and facilities within and outside the country. Secondly, the commission aims at improving the lives of people through public promoting public health issues. The nuclear products are also used in other settings other warfare. These include the learning institutions, the healthcare centers, the industrial sector, and business organizations. These products are harmful to human life if good precaution is not taken. The commission regulates the use of the products in these settings. Finally, the commission is also concerned with the environmental impact of the usage of this form of energy. Good precaution should be taken in handling the nuclear products and wastes right from the storage. Proper mechanisms should also be used in the transportation of the products. The commission ensures proper storage and transportation of nuclear products and wastes to their preferred destinations. It has also been stated that the waste materials from the nuclear products are very harmful to the human environment and can be a challenge to the human health and safety. The commission is also responsible for ensuring the proper disposal of these waste products. It ensures that all the associated parties with the production and use of these products take part in the disposal of the waste products as provided by the legislative regulations. Organizational Structure of the Commission The top management of the commission consists of five commissioners that are appointed by the president and approved by the senate. The president appoints one of the commissioners to be the chairperson and the final spokesperson of the Commission (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, para.1). The chairperson becomes the principle executive officer of the commission charged with the administrative and management responsibilities. The organizational structure has a hierarchical system with one level answerable to the next level in the structure. The chairperson has the overall authority over the functions of the agency. He or she is reports to the president. There is also the office of the Executive Director of Operations (EDO). All the members of the commission are required to take part in the development and formulation of policies that govern production and use of nuclear materials. The ED reports to the chairperson of the commission. The EDO then has the responsibility of carrying out the policies that have been developed by the commission. The EDO, in turn, directs the activities that are performed by the program officers in implementing the formulated policies (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 2011c, para.1). The program officers report to the EDO and ensure that use of these nuclear materials is in accordance with the provisions of the commission. The Operations of the NRC and the Outcomes of the Policies The operations of the commission are governed by a number of legislative provisions. There are laws regulating the use of nuclear materials and facilities by the civilian. These include the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (that created the NRC), and the Reorganization plans (legislative initiatives that were mainly concerned with environmental management) (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission para.2). The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 is the basis of the laws in the United States that govern the use of nuclear materials and facilities by the civilians as well as the military. The Act provides that the development and use of nuclear materials in the United States should be regulated in order to â€Å"promote world peace, improve the general welfare, increase the living standards, and strengthen free competition in private enterprise† (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, para.5). The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is given the powers to establish the standards that govern the use of these nuclear materials by the civilian to improve on health and safety of the public as well as the security of individuals’ property. The Commission has full control over the nuclear production plants in the different states of the US. In effect, there cannot be an illegal production of nuc lear products. This improves on the safety of the States and their citizens. It has been stated that the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 led to the creation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Before this Act was enacted, both development and production of nuclear weapons as well as the regulation of use of these materials were performed by the Atomic Energy Commission (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, para.6). After splitting the functions in 1974, the Department of Energy was given the responsibility of the production of these nuclear weapons. The act also defined the organizational structure of the Commission as well as the offices that would be established in different regions of the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970 as one of the Reorganization plans. The agency is charged with the responsibility of establishing the standards that need to be met to ensure maximum protection of the environment from the nuclea r materials. There are also legal provisions that are concerned with the management of nuclear waste. These include the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendment Act of 1985, and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, para.3). According to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the Federal government is required to establish some reliable location for disposing the dangerous radioactive waste materials. The Act also provides that the individuals or companies that produce such wastes should bear the costs of the disposal of such wastes. It provides that different parties including the members of the public be included in the identification and development of the damping sites of such materials. Once the government’s Department of Energy has identified the site, it seeks an authorization from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission before the site can be constructed (United States Nuclear R egulatory Commission, Para.12). The States are also responsible for the disposal of low-level nuclear wastes that are generated within their territories. The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendment Act of 1985 provides the NRC with the authority to establish standards for determining the wastes concentration that are to be considered in this category (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Para.13). The commission also manages the waste disposal facilities in different states. These environmental management measures contribute significantly to the economic development of the country. The Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 provides the commission the authority to regulate the operations at mill tailing sites for the sites that were licensed by the commission immediately after the legislation came into force. The other important legislation governing the operation of the commission is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978. The legislation aimed at restr aining the spread of nuclear weapons within and outside the United States (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Para.14). It outlined the criteria with which the Commission should issue license for the export of nuclear weapons outside the States. The other set of legislative provisions regulate the processes of the regulatory agencies like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These include the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C Chapters 5 through 8) and the National Environmental Policy Act. It has been observed that the commission as well as the other agencies in the United States formulates the policies (rules) that are to be accomplished by the agencies. The Administrative Procedure Act gives the agencies these adjudicative roles. The Act also provides the public with the authority to sue the agencies in the event that the agency establishes a rule that is not in accordance with the other developmental objectives within the given community (United States Nuclear Regulat ory Commission, 2011b, para.16). The management of environment is of concern to the government at the Federal, state and county levels. Every initiative that is to be taken by a federal agency has significant impacts on the environment (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Para.19). It is necessary that the operations of every agency in the United States should focus on, and contribute, towards environmental management. The National Environmental Policy Act requires that an agency should provide an Environmental Impact Assessment before carrying out any significant project when such a project is proposed. The EIA will provide details of the possible environmental impacts of the project as well as alternative courses of action that could be taken (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 2011b, para.19). The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has to abide by these regulatory provisions in executing its operations. Summary and Conclusion The functions performed by the bureaucra tic agencies are essential in helping the federal government of the United States to serve the interests of the members of the public. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in particular, has contributed significantly towards the improvement of the lives of the public. The commission has encouraged the use of a form of energy that can serve several people but is also harmful to human life if not properly managed. The fear of terrorist attack within the borders of the US has also been reduced due to the regulations imposed on the production and movement of these deadly weapons within the country. This also improves on the economy of the country since it becomes a good base for international trade. The structure and composition of the commission is also a key to the success of the commission. The members of the bureaucratic agencies are recruited on their merits. This allows for the development of a hierarchical organizational structure composed of specialized personnel each of whom has good understanding of the respective sectors. The members of the agencies are able to develop their rules independently and follow these rules without discrimination of any kind. The little or no political influence on the running of these agencies also contributes significantly to their success. â€Å"Bureaucracy.† garyrutledge.com, 2011. Web. â€Å"Nuclear power: Energy from splitting Uranium atoms.† Energy Resources: Nuclear power, 2011. Web. United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Commission, 2011a. Web. United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Our Governing Legislation, 2011b. Web. United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Organization and functions, 2011c. Web.