Final answer:
Agency power to make rules must be specific and is granted through legislation that enables their programs. Regulations are influenced by political compromises and provide for public input to ensure they meet legislative aims and public needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agencies must have a specific mandate to engage in rulemaking, which is typically outlined by the enabling legislation that creates the program they are administering.
When bureaucracies enact a new program, they must detail how the federal policies, regulations, and programs will be implemented.
Since Congress often cannot legislate all details, the power of agencies to make administrative regulations stems from their expertise and the executive branch's authority.
However, the process of writing these command-and-control regulations can be influenced by political compromises. Agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often navigate a complex array of political pressures that can result in regulations with loopholes and exceptions. This leads to a scenario where real-world laws do not always apply uniformly or as strictly as theoretically intended.
The process also typically includes an opportunity for public input, allowing the government to gauge public opinion and seek outside expertise.
This underscores the importance of transparency and public participation in bureaucratic rulemaking, ensuring regulations align with public needs while adhering to legislative intent.