One of the most interesting things about the bureaucracy was the development of cabinet level departments. It was surprising to note that there were only four cabinet-level departments through 1849, and that certain departments today like the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy have only been in existence as cabinet-level departments for under fifty years. It is also interesting to see the change through the years where the first departments served general social purposes, to where the past hundred years departments were established to serve particular groups like farmers, unions and veterans. .
Another interesting feature of the bureaucracy was the development of the modern civil service program, which prevented the rotation in office of officials appointed by one president, only to be reappointed by the next president. This reduced the practice of the spoils system by an incoming president, who ended up filling government jobs with loyal followers and people who followed view of himself and party. The civil service reform led to the reduction of the spoils system, which placed a certain number of jobs under the merit system and would not be subject of having an incoming president removing an individual that held the position in office. The problem with this was that an outgoing president whose party was about to relinquish control would extend civil service protection coverage by executive order, thus keeping many of his patronage appointees in office. The practice of both the spoils system and extending protection of federal jobs of presidential appointees is something that is unfortunate in today's bureaucracy. Though it is a power that is giving to the president, it is unfortunately abused. One can understand having some people that are close to you and follow your opinions and political beliefs, appointing only individuals who do so can hurt the representation of the people of the country who have different beliefs.
