Question

Political Science-American government

The federal bureaucracy is sometimes referred to as the “fourth branch” of the government because it wields significant power. Using a news article from the last eight weeks that demonstrates this power, evaluate the bureaucracy as co-equal branch of the federal government. Why or why isn’t it a fourth branch?

Answer 1

Answer:-

In a democratic political system, the most critical components of governance are the legislation, enforcement and judicial system which ought to be functioning independently without undue influence on each other. There is a fourth entity which is called ‘fourth branch’ which includes the media, the special interest groups, social institutions, etc. that attempts to influence the primary components of the democratic system. The bureaucratic systems in the government administrative organizations are considered as the most powerful ‘fourth branch’ element in the modern political milieu.   

The administrative groups are employed by the government, funded by the people and powers for functioning are granted by the Congress. Because of the flow of power they enjoy, the federal bureaucratic agencies execute and enforce rules and demands on the people that are contrary to a democratic system or even intimidate the parental institutions of legislation and judiciary.

An article by Richard Reeb, in the American Greatness published on 20th February 2017, quoted that administrative blocks are usurping the powers and functions of legitimate and authorized constitutional entities by imposing unreasonable executive orders on the people and with an unchallenged might.