Final answer:
The Federal Bureaucracy has three main levels: Cabinet Departments, Independent Executive Agencies, and Regulatory Agencies, each with different structures, functions, and degrees of autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Federal Bureaucracy has three main levels which are, in descending order of rank: the Cabinet Departments, Independent Executive Agencies, and Regulatory Agencies. Cabinet Departments are led by secretaries who are part of the President's Cabinet, and they manage specific areas of national policy such as defense or education. Independent Executive Agencies are entities outside of the Cabinet that deal with more specialized functions, like NASA. Lastly, Regulatory Agencies are responsible for enforcing rules and regulations to protect the public interest, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Each level differs in its scope, function, and degree of autonomy. Cabinet Departments consist of numerous sub-levels of bureaucracy such as undersecretaries, bureaus, and offices, each dealing with more specific aspects of the department's duties. Independent Executive Agencies are more specialized and focused on their respective goals, governed by a smaller bureaucracy. Regulatory Agencies have the authority to enact and enforce rules that have the force of law, overseeing compliance within their relevant sectors.