Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I found a summer job (kinda)

My application for teaching in the summer got accepted, so I'll be teaching my own course in the second summer session (end of July-August).  The other exciting news is that it is a class I designed myself (based on a syllabus I had to do for a "Teaching Political Science class" that I took my first year).  It's a class on the bureaucracy, so I'm really excited since the classes I took in my MA program on bureaucracy and organization were some of my favorites.  The only downside is that it's going to be an online class, but the upside of that is that I don't have to be around campus to teach it.


I need to come up with a jazzy title, so suggestions are encouraged.  Here is the syllabus:


Bureaucratic Politics


 


Katie Baxter


Office: Tydings 5115


kbaxter@gvpt.umd.edu


           


Course Description:


When thinking about branches of American government, most people overlook a very important part of the executive branch: the bureaucracy.  In fact, the bureaucracy is an incredibly important part of government, responsible for regulating many aspects of our daily lives including television broadcasts, food safety, and environmental safety.  Furthermore, there is ongoing debate as to whether the bureaucracy is a democratic institution since it is often able to operate with limited interference from the President and Congress.  This course will examine the politics of the bureaucracy, starting with theories of bureaucratic organization, then moving on to the politics of bureaucratic control.  We will also examine bureaucratic dysfunction by looking at two case studies from recent events: September 11th and Hurricane Katrina. 


 


Course Requirements:


Participation and attendance – 20%


Short response paper – 20%


Research paper – 50%


Presentation – 10%


 


All students should come to each class and be prepared to critically discuss the assigned readings.  While I expect everyone to come to class, merely showing up is not sufficient.


 


You are also required to write a short response paper at some point during the semester.  It should be 3 pages double-spaced and consist of your critical response to the readings we will be discussing that day in class (Did you agree or disagree with the authors? Is there something important that the authors did not consider?  How do the readings help us to understand the topic at hand?)  While the primary focus should be the readings for that class, it is acceptable to cite other relevant works. 


 


Lastly, you are required to write a research paper on one of the topics below.  If you wish to explore another topic, you must approve it with me in advance.  This paper should be 8-10 pages double spaced and will be due on the last day of class.  Sources should be documented in either APA or MLA style.  I have style guides available for your use if you have questions on source documentation.  On the last day of class, each person will have approximately 10 minutes to present their paper.


 


            Topic 1: Control of the Bureaucracy/Bureaucratic Discretion


To what extent does Congress and the President have control over the bureaucracy?  Do you agree with the congressional dominance literature or the bureaucratic discretion literature?  In terms of democratic theory does either perspective cause normative problems?  What are the potential solutions?


 


            Topic 2: Models of Organization


Which model of bureaucratic organization do you find the most satisfying:

Wilson

, Niskanen, Garbage can, some other model, or some combination of models?  Compare and contrast all potential models of organization and evaluate their pros and cons.


 


            Topic 3: Bureaucratic Dysfunction


What are the primary causes of bureaucratic dysfunction?  What are potential solutions, both procedural and cultural?  Discuss a few examples of bureaucratic dysfunction (e.g., FEMA and Hurricane Katrina, Intelligence agencies and 9/11. etc.) and how these situations might have been mitigated.


 


Required Text:


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How They Do It.  (

New York

: Basic Books).


 


I will also be providing articles and other readings listed below on ELMS (http://elms.umd.edu).


 


Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability and you are registered with Disability Support Services (DSS), please contact me as soon as possible so that we can discuss accommodations. A written request for accommodation is required. If you have questions about

University


of


Maryland

’s disability policies please contact DSS at (301) 314-7682.


 


Academic Integrity: You are expected to familiarize yourself with and follow the Code of Academic Integrity (http://studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/code.html). Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and will not be tolerated. 


 


General Course Outline: You are expected to have completed the assigned reading each week before coming to class.  I also reserve the right to change reading assignments as needed. 


 


Class 1:           Course introduction


Dye, Thomas.  Politics in

America

,

Ch.

12


 


Class 2:           Models of Organization


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How


They Do It.Ch. 1-2.


March, James G., Michael D. Cohen, and Johan P. Olsen. 1972. “A Garbage Can


Model of Organizational Decision Making.” Administrative Science Quarterly 17(1): 1-25.


Niskanen, William.  1971.  “Bureaucracy.” 

Ch.

11


 


Class 3:           Bureaucrats as Operators


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How


They Do It.Ch. 3-6.


 


Class 4:           Bureaucrat Managers


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How


They Do It.Ch. 7-9.


 


Class 5:           Congressional Relations


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How


They Do It.Ch. 13.


McCubbins, Mathew D. and Thomas Schwartz. 1984. “Congressional Oversight


Overlooked: Police Patrols versus Fire Alarms.” American Journal of Political Science, 28 (February): 165-179.


McNollgast.  1987.  “Administrative Procedures as Instruments of Political


Control.” Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, 3: 243-277.   


 


Class 6:           Presidential Relations


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How


They Do It.Ch. 14.


Whittington, Keith E. and Daniel P. Carpenter. 2003. “Executive Power in


American Institutional Development” Perspectives on Politics 1 (September): 495-513.


                        Golden, Marissa.  1992.  “Exit, Voice, Loyalty, and Neglect: Bureaucratic


Responses to Presidential Control.”  Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 1: 29-62. 


 


Class 7:           Bureaucratic Discretion


Carpenter, Daniel P.  2001.  The Forging of Bureaucratic Autonomy:


Reputations, Networks, and Policy Innovation in Executive Agencies, 1862-1928.  Princeton:

Princeton


University

Press.  Ch. 1-2 and Conclusion.


           


Class 8:           Bureaucratic Executives


Wilson, James Q. 1989. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and How


They Do It.Ch. 10-12.


 


Class 9:           Issue Networks and Iron Triangles


                        Heclo, Hugh.  1978.  “Issue Networks & the Executive Establishment.” 


pp. 429-439 in Richard J. Stillman, II. 1992, Public Administration  Concepts and Cases, Fifth Edition,

Boston

: Houghton Mifflin Company. 


                        Gais, et al.  1984.  “Interest Groups, Iron Triangles and Representative


Institutions in American National Government.”  British Journal of Political Science.  14: 161-185. 


 


Class 10:         Organizational Dysfunction, a Case Study – FEMA and Katrina


                        Morris, John C.  2006.  “Whither FEMA?  Hurricane Katrina and FEMA’s


Response to the

Gulf


Coast

.”  Public Works Management and Policy, 10: 284-294. 


                        Lipton, Eric.  2006.  “Despite Steps, Disaster Planning Still Shows Gaps.”  NYT


article available online


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/26/us/nationalspecial/26katrina.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=f7d953949a30b210&ex=1314244800&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss


 


Class 11:         Organizational Dysfunction, a Case Study – 9/11


9/11 Commission Report Ch. 3 and 11, available online at http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf. 


 


Class 12:         Conclusions and paper presentations


                        FINAL PAPER DUE



Most forwards are lame, but...

my sister just sent me this and I found it hilarious.




IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN:


Do you have feelings of inadequacy?


Do you suffer from Shyness?


Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?


 If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Chardonnay.


Chardonnay is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Chardonnay can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you are ready and willing to do just about anything.


You will notice the benefits of Chardonnay almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Chardonnay.


 Chardonnay may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Chardonnay. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.


Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic
lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss
of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headaches,
dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night
rounds of Strip Poker, Truth or Dare, and naked Twister.


 WARNINGS:


The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you are whispering when you are not.


The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to tell your friends
 over and over again that you love them.


The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to think you can sing.


 The consumption of Chardonnay may lead you to believe that ex
lovers are really dying for you to call/text them at 4 in the morning.


 The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you can logically
converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.


The consumption of Chardonnay may create the illusion that you are
tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.



Saturday, October 25, 2008

Quote of the Day

The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things
you get ashamed of, because words diminish them -- words shrink things
that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than
living size when they're brought out. But it's more than that, isn't
it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret
heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love
to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only
to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what
you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you
almost cried while you were saying it. That's the worst, I think. When
the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of
an understanding ear.

-Stephen King



Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Funny of the day

Seth: I hope you aren't mad at my snarkiness over the use if the word "semantical."

Me: no I don't usually get mad at snarkiness.

Jason: because she is usually the one dishing it out



Sunday, October 19, 2008

Things that are free

1) cleaning my house

2) reading

3) watching tv

4) sleeping

5) surfing the interwebs



Thursday, October 16, 2008

Yeah Elton (and Bernie)

If you know anyone who has gone through addiction treatment, they might have an anchor.  When trying to give something up, having something (for women frequently a piece of jewelry) that you can touch or look at to remind you to stay on the straight and narrow can help calm you down when you get into a tizzy.  For me, my anchor has always been music, and a few songs in particular.  I know when things are getting rough, I can always listen to one of these songs and it will help me feel better, or if nothing else, take my mind off whatever is bothering me.  Been listening to this song all morning while working... although the lyrics have not been particularly relevant to any situation in my life, I love the key and chord progressions and it's a song about making a positive life change when you feel like you can't.

Someone Saved my Life Tonight

When I think of those East End lights, muggy nights
The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs
Prima Donna lord you really should have been there
Sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair
And it's one more beer and I don't hear you anymore
We've all gone crazy lately
My friends out there rolling round the basement floor

And someone saved my life tonight sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me didn't you dear
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye

I never realised the passing hours of evening showers
A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams
I'm strangled by your haunted social scene
Just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen
It's four o'clock in the morning
Damn it listen to me good
I'm sleeping with myself tonight
Saved in time, thank God my music's still alive

And I would have walked head on into the deep end of the river
Clinging to your stocks and bonds
Paying your H.P. demands forever
They're coming in the morning with a truck to take me home
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight
So save your strength and run the field you play alone



Why I'm never betting on politics again...

Yesterday in my class we spent some time talking about the Bradley effect.  I simply jotted down: "Bradley effect: why I owe Pete $250."

Simply put, the Bradley effect is the premise that a significant number of voters will systematically lie in polls, saying that they plan to vote for a candidate of color, but when they actually go to the polls they vote for the white candidate.  There are several instances of polls showing a candidate of color leading by large margins in the polls, only to lose the election.  For those familiar with the race and politics literature, this fits in with all the stuff that focuses on how latent racism has generally replaced overt racism, since overt racism is not seen as socially acceptable anymore.

Almost a year ago I made a bet with Pete that Obama would not be the next President of the United States.  This was before Obama won any primaries...I banked on Hillary's people running a better campaign and the Bradley effect.  And McCain being the McCain of 2000 and not picking Sarah Palin.  Ah well.

I think Obama will likely win the election, but the Bradley effect has me wondering if this race will actually end up being closer than everyone thinks.  In New Hampshire during the primaries, Obama was polling way ahead of Hillary even up til the day of the primary...and then Hillary won.  Evidence of the Bradley effect?  Maybe.  Polling is also only as good as the assumptions behind it and I think the numbers for young/first time voters and African Americans turning out are unrealistically high.  Voting is habitual and there is a reason that historically these groups do not turn out in large numbers.  Indeed, I know quite a few young people who are ardent supporters of Obama, but missed the voting registration deadline.  Guess who won't be voting?  I would be surprised (but not shocked) if turnout numbers for these groups end up as high as some people are predicting.  These groups not turning out can only hurt Obama.

In addition to the Bradley effect, I wonder if Obama will suffer from the front runner effect.  People are taking for granted that this election is already over to the point that I think it will negatively affect turnout.  The less important people view their individual vote as being, the less likely they are to turnout (yes, I largely buy into the fundamental logic of Downs' "Economic Theory of Democracy"). 

Anyways, I think it's probably safe to say that Obama will be elected.  However, I think this election may not be the Nixon/McGovern style blowout that people are predicting.



Saturday, October 11, 2008

Pink 10/10

How did I manage to make $300 last night when these things happened?

In Tahoe8: 3x4x7h flop, 2h turn, 8h river.  I have Ac5c6d.  Flopped a straight and the second nut low.  Have the nut low and the nut high on the turn.  Somehow on the river Blevins has miscellaneous hearts for half the pot. Yes, that's right, I have a wheel-8.

In Stud8: (7s8s)As5s9h bet, bet, bet on every street... heads up going to 6th.  5dQh comes on 6th and 7th and Stu bricks his low draw and a pair of deuces into...trip deuces for the scoop.

In Omaha8: Ax2x5d flop.  Somehow I have the miraculous hand that is Qd9d3c4c in the big blind.  I check, E bets, Stu, and Ali call, when it gets back around to me, I raise.  Fold, fold, fold... Ali calls.  4d on the turn.  Not a great card, but I have diamonds now and hey I'm heads up, so let's raise.  I somehow forgot that Ali ALWAYS gets there against me with the gutshots.  Somehow he tables 2x3x6x and when my diamond draw bricks, I get a quarter of the pot.



Friday, October 10, 2008

Mano a Eskimo

Pink at approximately 2:30 am...

Ali: Are we heads up? (He is heads up with E)

Kenny: Yeah

Me: Mano a mano

Ali: Mano a Eskimo



Saturday, October 4, 2008

Ha ha ha... my horoscope for today

Money may be a problem for you at this time. You can trade your way out
of a difficulty or borrow money. The latter is not advisable right now
as you'll be tempted to clock up those debts, add more zeros to your
credit card and ultimately find yourself cornered by your inability to
meet those repayments. Think about strategies for increasing your
income and working your way out of this yourself without borrowing any
more.  Your relationships are especially affectionate and
friendly at this time, and you may benefit socially or materially
through an opportunity offered to you by a friend. This is a good time
for parties, social gatherings, and other pleasurable activities. You
may just meet someone that makes all this socializing more than just a
good time.



Thursday, October 2, 2008

My 30th

We were discussing 21st birthdays last night and I said I couldn't remember what I did for mine, but I do remember now...it was at Brickskeller, home of many of my birthdays in college.

In years past I have had birthday parties at:


  • Brickskeller

  • The Big Hunt

  • Four P's/Green Fields

  • Buffalo Billiards

  • Cue Bar (which has now apparently closed :( )

  • Mackey's

  • The Dubliner

  • Fado


Basically the theme here is dive bar (or as close to dive bar as one can get in DC) with a heavy dose of Irish on the side.  I like a place that is not too loud, so I can chill with my friends.  I don't want too many "beautiful people" who are there to impress others...that is definitely not my scene.  Last year I had a really good time at 4P's...but going somewhere two years in a row is boring. 

Current plan is to go out to a nice dinner and then to a chill bar.  Picking a restaurant is the easy part.  The bar is the tough one.  So send me some suggestions that meet the following requirements:


  • not so loud you can't hear yourself think

  • not too many "cool" people on a Saturday night (i.e. NOT a lounge)

  • in DC (though I am somewhat flexible here)


HELP!