Final answer:
Bureaucrats' use of power is influenced by factors such as legislative directives, employment systems, societal expectations, and the pace and complexity of modern work. Control and oversight by elected officials, as well as internal and external pressures, shape the efficiency and responsiveness of bureaucratic functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The way bureaucrats use their power can be shaped by various factors, including congressional acts, presidential orders, the merit-based system for employment, the structure of the bureaucracy itself (cabinet departments, regulatory agencies, etc.), societal expectations, the pace of the workplace, and adherence to established procedures.
Elected officials seek to control bureaucracies to ensure they operate within the intended scope, and they do this through oversight and legislative tools. Bureaucrats, on the other hand, must balance responsiveness to elected officials with their own professional judgement and expertise. Factors such as a rapidly changing environment, budget constraints, and historical power dynamics also play a significant role in shaping how bureaucrats exercise their power and how they respond to oversight and control efforts.
Bureaucracies traditionally aim to function efficiently and equitably. However, challenges of partisanship, maintaining control, and adapting to change can influence how they operate and the extent to which they are able to do so effectively. Oversight from Congress and the OMB, models of bureaucracy, and policies that affect whistleblower protections are all components that contribute to the dynamic between bureaucracy and elected leadership.