Final answer:
Bureaucratic rule-making and discretion increase the power of bureaucracy by creating specific rules for policy implementation and allowing bureaucrats decision-making leeway, respectively. Negotiated rulemaking invites consensus-building, potentially increasing efficiency. The complex balance of power is reflected in the oversight exerted by elected officials and the public.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rule-making and bureaucratic discretion are two primary ways through which the power of the bureaucracy can increase in the policy process. Rule-making is the process by which bureaucracies create binding regulations that have the force of law. Through this process, agencies can fill in the details of broad legislation by crafting specific rules, which can greatly shape the implementation and impact of laws. Bureaucratic discretion, on the other hand, refers to the ability of bureaucrats to make choices regarding the best way to implement policy directives. This discretion can lead to a significant degree of power in how policies are enacted and enforced, especially when guidelines are unclear or allow for interpretive leeway.
Within bureaucratic rulemaking, negotiated rulemaking has become an important aspect to encourage consensus and reduce disagreements. The negotiated rulemaking involves parties with vested interests in the proposed rules who work together to reach a common agreement, potentially increasing the efficiency and acceptance of new regulations.
Furthermore, understanding how bureaucracies function and how oversight is exercised by Congress, the president, and citizens (through mechanisms like the Freedom of Information Act) is crucial for appreciating the balance of power within governmental systems. Nonetheless, elected officials often strive to control the influence of bureaucracies through various means as bureaucracies have a tendency to become independent entities with their own agendas. This struggle highlights the complex interplay between elected leaders and bureaucratic agencies.