1. Compare Barnard and Weber’s models of bureaucracy. How are they similar? Different? Which one seems superior to you and why?

2. Critical to Barnard’s view of bureaucracy is the idea of principal-agent problems. What are principal-agent problems? Encourage the class to brainstorm real or fictitious examples of principal-agent problems.

3. Remind students that have worked in almost any job that they have engaged in or witnessed situations where principal-agent problems have occurred. Push the class to think about their work experiences. Can any of them recall any tangible examples of these problems?

4. For Wilson, the real importance of bureaucracy is the outcomes. Why are outcomes some of the most difficult things to measure and assess? Push the class to think of some bureaucratic examples where the outputs are difficult to measure. Make sure students also consider why those outputs are hard to measure.

5. Why is the Constitution so silent on the bureaucracy? What does the relative silence reflect about the views of the founders? In what ways has that silence helped the country evolve over time? In what ways has that silence proved to be problematic?

6. Why should the President have the power to remove cabinet officers? Why should Congress have the power? Does the system of leaving that authority with the President seem to be optimal? Why or why not?

7. Think about the idea of clientele agencies. Are there currently any departments in government that might fit that description? Why or why not?

8. How are independent executive agencies similar to cabinet departments? Different? Is one likely to be more efficient and, if so, why?

9. Why did President Bush create the DHS in 2002? What problems was he hoping to solve? What issues might the newly formed DHS have created?

10. Why does the federal government, especially the military, use private contractors? What gains are expected for using contractors? What risks was there to these arrangements? How does the use of private contractors fit in with Weber’s model of bureaucracy?