Government agency
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Agovernment agencyorstate agency,sometimes anappointed commission,is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in themachinery of government(bureaucracy) that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as anadministration.[1]There is a notable variety of agency types. Although usage differs, a government agency is normally distinct both from a department orministry,and other types of public body established bygovernment.The functions of an agency are normally executive in character since different types of organizations (such as commissions) are most often constituted in an advisory role — this distinction is often blurred in practice however, it is not allowed.
A government agency may be established by either a national government or a state government within a federal system. Agencies can be established by legislation or by executive powers. The autonomy, independence, and accountability of government agencies also vary widely.
History
[edit]Early examples of organizations that would now be termed a government agency include the BritishNavy Board,responsible for ships and supplies, which was established[2]in 1546 by King Henry VIII and the BritishCommissioners of Bankruptcyestablished[3]in 1570.
From 1933, theNew Dealsaw growth in U.S. federal agencies, the "alphabet agencies"as they were used to deliver new programs created by legislation, such as theFederal Emergency Relief Administration.
From the 1980s, as part ofNew Public Management,several countries including Australia and the United Kingdom developed the use of agencies to improve efficiency in public services.
By country
[edit]Australia
[edit]Canada
[edit]France
[edit]Administrative law in France refers toautorité administrative indépendante(AAI) or Independent Administrative Authorities. They tend to be prominent in the following areas of public policy;
- Economic and financial regulation
- Information and communication
- Defence of citizens' rights
Independent Administrative Authorities in France may not be instructed or ordered to take specific actions by the government.
Germany
[edit]Greece
[edit]TheGeneral Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace(Greek:Γενική Γραμματεία Μακεδονίας-Θράκης), previouslyMinistry for Macedonia and Thrace(Greek:Υπουργείο Μακεδονίας-Θράκης) is a government agency of theHellenic Republicthat is responsible for theGreek regionsofMacedoniaandThrace.
Iceland
[edit]India
[edit]The termagencyin India has several meanings; for example, theCabinet and the parliamentSecretariatdescribes itself[4]as a "nodal agencyfor coordination amongst the ministries of the Govt. of India ". Most notably as an international feature, what appear to be independent agencies (or apex agencies) include some that have active roles for Ministers: such as, theNational Security Council,theMedical Council of India,thePharmacy Council of India(PCI), theIndian Council of Agricultural Research,and theNITI Aayog,which is chairedex officioby the Prime Minister.
Russia
[edit]Russia has had many government agencies throughout its history. TheUSSRhad the secretiveKGB. Today, Russian government agencies such as theFSB,FSO,and theGRUuseSpetsnazor other masked operators for any missions. Other organizations includeKremlinand presidential security.
Sweden
[edit]The Government agencies in Sweden areStatecontrolled organizations who act independently to carry out the policies of theGovernment of Sweden.TheMinistriesare relatively small and merely policy-making organizations, allowed to control agencies by policy decisions but not by direct orders. This means that while the agencies are subject to decisions made by the Government, Ministers are explicitly prohibited (so-called ban onministerstyre) from interfering with the day-to-day operation in an agency or the outcome in individual cases as well.
In addition to the State and its agencies, there are also local government agencies, which are extensions ofmunicipalitiesandcounty councils.
United Kingdom
[edit]Agencies in the United Kingdom are eitherexecutive agenciesanswerable togovernment ministersornon-departmental public bodiesanswerable directly toparliamentor the devolvedassembliesof the United Kingdom. They are also commonly known asQuangos.
Agencies can be created by enabling legislation by theParliament of the United Kingdom,Scottish Parliamentor theWelsh Parliament.
United States
[edit]TheCongressandPresident of the United Statesdelegate specific authority to government agencies toregulatethe complex facets of the modern Americanfederal state.Also, most of the 50U.S. stateshave created similar government agencies. Each state government is similar to the national government, with all but one having a bicameral legislature. The term "government agency" or "administrative agency" usually applies to one of theindependent agencies of the United States government,which exercise some degree of independence from the President's control. Although the heads of independent agencies are often appointed by the government, they can usually be removed only for cause. The heads of independent agencies work together in groups, such as a commission, board or council. Independent agencies often function as miniature versions of thetripartitefederal government with the authority tolegislate(through the issuing or promulgation of regulations), toadjudicatedisputes, and toenforceagency regulations. Examples of independent agencies include theFederal Communications Commission(FCC),Federal Reserve Board,U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), theNational Labor Relations Board(NLRB) and theFederal Trade Commission(FTC).
A broader definition of the term "government agency" also means theUnited States federal executive departmentsthat include the President'scabinet-level departmentsand their sub-units. Examples of these include theDepartment of Energy(DOE) and theInternal Revenue Service(IRS), which is a bureau of theDepartment of the Treasury.
Most federal agencies are created by Congress throughstatutescalled "enabling acts",which define the scope of an agency's authority. Because theConstitutiondoes not expressly mention federal agencies (as it does the three branches), some commentators have called agencies the "headless fourth branch" of the federal government. However, most independent agencies are technically part of the executive branch, with a few located in the legislative branch of government. By enacting theAdministrative Procedure Act(APA) in 1946, Congress established some means to oversee government agency action. The APA established uniformadministrative lawprocedures for a federal agency's promulgation of rules and adjudication of claims. The APA also sets forth the process forjudicial reviewof agency action.
See also
[edit]- Classification of the Functions of Government
- Government-owned company
- Outline of management
- Political organisation
- Regulatory agency
- Statutory authority
- Statutory corporation
References
[edit]- ^Anglim, Christopher."Learning Resources Division: Government Information Help Guide: Government Agencies".udc.libguides.com.Retrieved2023-08-02.
- ^A brief history of the Royal Navy, Royal Navy Museum, accessed at[1]Archived2006-07-15 at theWayback MachineJune 9, 2006,
- ^Macleavy, J. and O. Gay (2005)The Quango Debate,House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/30, p. 8 accessed at"The Quango Debate"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2006-06-19.Retrieved2006-06-09.
- ^Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India at[2],accessed June 30, 2006
Further reading
[edit]- Machinery of Government Reform: Principles and Practicein "The Organisation of Central Government Departments: A History 1964–1992", ESRC Whitehall Programme atNuffield College,University of Oxford. (accessed October 16, 2018)
