AP Gov Ch 8 Semia Sims

Question 1

federal bureaucracy

Answer 1

The thousand of federal government agencies and institutions that implement and administer federal laws and programs

The federal bureaucracy performs three primary tasks in government implementation, administration, and regulation.

Question 2

Max Weber

Answer 2

German sociologist active in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who articulated the hierarchical structure and near-mechanical functioning of bureaucracies in complex societies

Max Weber is best known for his thesis combining economic sociology and the sociology of religion

Question 3

spoils system

Answer 3

The firing of public-office holders of a defeated political party to replace them with loyalists of the newly elected party

The Spoils System advocated by Andrew Jackson was based on rotation in office and rewarding loyal supporters.

Question 4

patronage

Answer 4

Jobs, grants, or other special favors that are given as rewards to friends and political allies for their support

Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another.

Question 5

merit system

Answer 5

A system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability rather than party loyalty

A merit system is a method of personnel management designed to promote the efficiency and economy of the workforce and the good of the public

Question 6

Pendleton Act

Answer 6

Reform measure that established that principle of federal employment on the basis of open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commission

The Pendleton Act of 1883 is a federal law enacted by the United States, which established that federal government positions should be awarded to candidates

Question 7

civil service system

Answer 7

The merit system by which many federal bureaucrats are selected

The present federal civil service system is much the same as in 1883 but with the addition of retirement and position-classification.

Question 8

Sixteenth Amendment

Answer 8

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that authorized Congress to enact a national income tax

The Sixteenth amendment was passed because many people believed that an income tax would provide a more stable source of income than tariffs.

Question 9

World War I

Answer 9

A global military conflict that took place from 1914-1918 across Europe and its overseas territories. The United States military intervened from 1917-1918

World War I began in 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and lasted until 1918.

Question 10

Great Depression

Answer 10

A severe global economic downturn marked by mass unemployment and poverty that began in the United States in 1929 and persisted to some degree until the end of the 1930s

Great Depression began with the dramatic crash of the stock market on “Black Thursday”, October 24, 1929.

Question 11

World War II

Answer 11

A global military conflict that took place from 1939-1945 in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific region. The United States was formally involved in the war from 1941-1945

World War 2 was fought between the Axis Powers and the Allies.

Question 12

G.I. (Government Issue) Bill

Answer 12

Federal legislation enacted in 1944 that provided college loans for returning veterans and reduced mortgage rates to enable them to buy homes

One benefit of the GI Bill is you can pay your full tuition directly to the school.

Question 13

Great Society

Answer 13

Reform program begun in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson that was a broad attempt to combat poverty and discrimination through urban renewal, education reform, and unemployment relief

Johnson challenged Americans to build a Great Society that eliminated the troubles of the poor.

Question 14

Department of Homeland Security

Answer 14

Cabinet department created after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to coordinate domestic security efforts

The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the United States from terrorist attacks and other disasters.

Question 15

Cabinet department

Answer 15

Major administrative units with responsibility for a broad area of government operations. Departmental status usually indicates a permanent national interest in a particular government function, such as defense, commerce, or agriculture

Members of the presidential cabinet department are nominated by the commander in chief and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Question 16

independent executive agencies

Answer 16

Governmental units that closely resemble a Cabinet department but have narrower areas of responsibility and perform service rather than regulatory functions

The difference between the independent executive agencies and the 15 executive departments is that they do not have Cabinet Status.

Question 17

independent regulatory commission

Answer 17

An entity created by Congress outside a major executive department that regulates a specified interest or economic activity

Independent regulatory commissions government agencies are responsible for some sector of the economy, enforcing rules to protect the public interest.

Question 18

government corporations

Answer 18

Business established by Congress to perform functions that private businesses could provide, such as the U.S. Postal Service and Amtrak. Often established when the financial incentives for private industry to provide services are minimal

PBS and news stations are examples of government corporations.

Question 19

Hatch Act

Answer 19

The 1939 act to prohibit civil servants from taking activist roles in partisan campaigns. This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions, working for a particular party, or campaigning for a particular candidate

Hatch Act is designed to prevent members of the federal government who do not have explicitly political roles from engaging in political activity.

Question 20

implementation

Answer 20

The process by which a law or policy is put into operation

Implementation turns strategies and plans into actions in order to accomplish strategic objectives and goals.

Question 21

iron triangles

Answer 21

The relatively ironclad relationships and patterns of interaction that occur among agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees

Iron triangle is used to describe the dynamics of policy-making between Congress, special interest groups, and governmental agencies.

Question 22

issue networks

Answer 22

The loose and informal relationships that exist among a large number of actors who work in broad policy areas

Issue networks are an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a common cause or agenda in a way that influences government policy.

Question 23

interagency councils

Answer 23

Working groups created to facilitate coordination of policy making and implementation across a host of governmental agencies

Interagency Councils are comprised of various community agencies, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations.

Question 24

policy coordinating committee (PCCs)

Answer 24

Committees created at the sub-Cabinet level to facilitate interactions between agencies and departments to handle complex policy problems

Policy coordinating committee are subcabinet-level committees created to facilitate interactions between agencies and departments

Question 25

administrative discretion

Answer 25

The ability or bureaucrats to make choices concerning the nest way to implement congressional or executive intentions

It is not therefore surprising that many governments are implementing policies for reducing or eliminating administrative discretion.

Question 26

rule making

Answer 26

A quasi-legislative process resulting in regulations that have the characteristics of a legislative

Legislatures first set broad policy mandates by passing statutes, then agencies create more detailed regulations through rule making.

Question 27

regulations

Answer 27

Rules governing the operation of all government programs that have the force of law

Regulations control the way that a business can operate, or all laws considered together mostly dealing with voters.

Question 28

Federal Register

Answer 28

The official journal of the U.S. government, including all federal rules and public notices so that citizens and organization can follow proposed changes and comply with rule changes

Federal Register is a work of the U.S. government and is in the public domain.

Question 29

administrative adjucation

Answer 29

A quasi-judicial process in which a bureaucratic agency settles disputes between two parties similar to the way courts resolve disputes

Administrative adjucation is the legal process by which an arbiter or judge reviews evidence and argumentation.