Government Agency

A Government Agency is a government organization that performs administrative functions (through permanent mandates or semi-permanent mandates).

• AKA: State Agency, Public Agency, Administrative Agency.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) be formed by Government Entity, through legal authorization.
  • It can (typically) have Agency Mandates, for specific functions.
  • It can (typically) exercise Executive Powers, in defined domains.
  • It can (typically) maintain Administrative Authority, over program areas.
  • It can (often) implement Government Programs, through agency operations.
  • It can (often) enforce Government Regulations, within jurisdiction scope.
  • It can (often) provide Public Services, to target populations.
  • It can (often) coordinate with other Government Agencies.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Permanent Agency to being a Temporary Agency, depending on its temporal status.
  • It can range from being a Regulatory Agency to being a Service Agency, depending on its function type.
  • It can range from being a Federal Agency to being a Local Agency, depending on its jurisdiction level.
  • It can range from being an Independent Agency to being a Subordinate Agency, depending on its autonomy level.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Executive Agencys, such as:
    • Environmental Protection Agency, regulating environmental standards.
    • Food and Drug Administration, ensuring product safety.
    • Social Security Administration, managing benefit programs.
  • Regulatory Agencys, such as:
    • Securities and Exchange Commission, overseeing financial markets.
    • Federal Communications Commission, regulating communication services.
    • Nuclear Regulatory Commission, controlling nuclear safety.
  • Fact-Finding Agencys, such as:
    • Census Bureau, collecting demographic data.
    • Bureau of Labor Statistics, analyzing economic indicators.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Government Committees with temporary status.
  • Government Legislatures performing law-making functions.
  • Government Judiciarys exercising judicial power.
  • Government Ministrys at cabinet level.
• See: Government Organization, Machinery of Government, Intelligence Agency, Ministry, Administrative Body, Executive Branch, Public Administration.

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References

2015

• (Wikipedia, 2015) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_agency Retrieved:2015-11-6.
  • A government or state agency, often an appointed commission, is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types. Although usage differs, a government agency is normally distinct both from a department or ministry, and other types of public body established by government. 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.

    A government agency may be established by either a national government or a state government within a federal system. The term is not normally used for an organization created by the powers of a local government body. Agencies can be established by legislation or by executive powers. The autonomy, independence and accountability of government agencies also vary widely.

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