If you already have a Commission, is it necessary to put up a Department? For example in Commission on Information Tech, is it still necessary to put up a Department on Info Tech?
2006-09-12 06:41:16 · 7 answers · asked by Camilla 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
In addition to temporary vs. permanent issue already addressed in other answers, there are also differences in function and hierarchy.
While commission members are normally elected officials (congressmen and senators for federal commissions), commission chairmen are normally "impartial" appointees with no outward party agenda. (Often they are retired politicians or high-ranking judges)
Departments are staffed by appointed bureaucrats, full-time government employees who do not answer to a voting constituency. They are basically "government workers."
Finally, commissions do not create or enforce policy. Their function is to publish opinions and recommendations. For example, the famous Warren Commission published the finding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the murder of President Kennedy. Had they found otherwise, they would have said as much but then passed along the burden of prosecution to the Justice Department.
Departments can create policies to some extent, but in all cases their responsibility is to administer and, in some cases, enforce them. The Treasury Department, for example, administers fiscal policy but also has an enforcement arm (the Secret Service).
2006-09-12 07:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by a_man_could_stand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A commission is usually a temporary agency, as opposed to a department which is usually more permanent and long term.
So, while figuring out what needs to be done with information technology, a commission was fine. Once they realized that information technology was here to stay, a department is more appropriate.
2006-09-12 13:48:23 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
commissions are usually temporary, to handle a specific situation or need. a department is a permanent addition to the governmental daily on goings. hope that helps!
2006-09-12 13:42:55 · answer #3 · answered by xrionx 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Commissions are run by Commizars, and Departments are run by bureaucrats.
2006-09-12 13:57:52 · answer #4 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Departments usually cover a wider scope, and are more permanent.
2006-09-12 13:42:56 · answer #5 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A commission is not a dept.
2006-09-15 18:22:39 · answer #6 · answered by Pokie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
commissions are narrow in scope and temporary
2006-09-12 13:44:26 · answer #7 · answered by Freddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋