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A government agency 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 types of agency. 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 organisation (such as Commission s) are normally used for advisory functions, but this distinction is often blurred in practice. 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. HISTORY Early examples of organizations that would now be termed a government agency include the British was foundedGeneral information, Library of Congress, accessed at {Link without Title} June 9, 2006 in 1800 and is, unusually, an agency of the legislative branch of government. From 1933, the New Deal saw rapid growth in US federal agencies, the "alphabet Agencies" as they were used to deliver new programs mandated by legislation, such as Federal Emergency Relief . From the 1980s, as part of New Public Management , several countries including Australia and the United Kingdom developed the use of agencies to improve efficiency in public services. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OF CANADA See Also: Structure of the Canadian federal government GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OF INDIA :''See also Government Of India The term ''agency'' in India has several meanings. For example, the , the Indian Council Of Agricultural Research , and the Planning Commission , which is chaired ex-officio by the Prime Minister. GOVERNMENT AGANCIES OF SWEDEN See Also: Government agencies in Sweden The Government agencies in Sweden are state controlled organizations who act independently to carry out the policies of the Swedish Government. The Government Ministries are relatively small and merely policy-making organizations, allowed to control agencies by policy decisions but not by direct orders. A Minister is explicitly prohibited from interfering with the day-to-day operation in an agency or the outcome in individual cases. While no minister is allowed to give orders to agencies personally, they are subject to decisions made by the Government. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM See Also: Executive Agency Agencies in the United Kingdom are either Executive Agencies answerable to Government Ministers or Non-departmental Public Bodies answerable directly to one of the Parliament s or devolved Assemblies of the United Kingdom. Agencies can be created by enabling legislation by the Parliament Of The United Kingdom , Scottish Parliament or the National Assembly For Wales . Agencies in England usually answer to Westminster or the British Government. In Scotland they usually answer to the Scottish Executive or the Scottish Parliament and in Wales to the National Assembly for Wales. Some have remits that cover the entire UK and these organisations are funded by and answer to the British Government. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE UNITED STATES See Also: Independent agencies of the United States government The Congress and President Of The United States delegate specific authority to government agencies to Regulate the complex facets of the modern American Federal State . Also, most of the 50 U.S. State s have created similar government agencies, but with limited, state-level regulatory power. The term "government agency" is usually applied to
Most federal agencies are created by Congress through Statute s called "enabling statutes", that define the scope of an agency's authority. Because the Constitution does 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 the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in 1946, Congress established some means to oversee government agency action. The APA established uniform Administrative Law procedures for a federal agency's promulgation of rules, and adjudication of claims. The APA also sets forth the process for Judicial Review of agency action. A broader definition of the term also encompasses:
SEE ALSO REFERENCES FURTHER READING
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