Agency control through the appointed hierarchy

Presidential Politicization of Unilateral Appointees

Bibliographic Data

ID6296201
AuthorsGary E Hollibaugh (0000-0001-9844-2437, University of Pittsburgh, corresponding author), Lawrence S Rothenberg (0000-0003-2788-5585, University of Rochester)
Year2024
Volume44
Issue1
Pages44-66
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Public Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0143-814X • E-ISSN: 1469-7815
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0143814x23000272
OpenAlexW4387777215
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited46

Schedule C and noncareer Senior Executive Service positions hold significant influence over policy outcomes, yet they have received limited scrutiny compared to advise and consent (PAS) appointments. Such appointments offer understudied avenues for presidential control over the bureaucracy. Through a comprehensive analysis of more detailed data than has been employed to date, we reveal that these appointments are responsive to broader political dynamics, particularly those relevant to PAS appointments, including inter- and intrabranch conflicts, agency ideology, Senate workload, and the political calendar. However, statutory constraints and agency characteristics – such as the managerial expertise of appointed agency leadership – also shape their utilization. While unilateral appointments provide an advantage to Presidents, executives are constrained when using them to overcome legislative opposition or reshape resistant agencies. These lower-level appointments reflect the wider political landscape, granting the President significant – but not unrestrained – opportunities to exert influence on both the bureaucracy and policy outcomes

Agency (philosophy · Bureaucracy · Economics · Ideology · Legislature · Management · Opposition (politics · Political science · Politics · Presidential system · Public relations · Scrutiny · Sociology · Statutory law · Workload · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Political and Economic history of UK and US · Public Administration · Public Policy and Administration Research

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