bureaucracy Flashcards
definition of bureaucracy
a complex web of federal agencies with overlapping jurisdiction (sometimes wasteful, confusing, and ridged)
What were the 3 original departments? (+1)
state: Jefferson
war: Knox
treasury: Hamilton
+Attorney General
What is the purpose of the 3 cabinet depts?
Meant to be advisory bodies to the pres.
How many cabinets are there today?
15
who creates the cabinets?
Congress
What is a cause that contributed to the growth of bureaucracy?
Patronage during the Jackson Era
define patronage
giving political supporters jobs they aren’t qualified for
what was the Pendleton act?
requires govt. to hire qualified employees “merit system”
what is Federal Civil Service?
a series of exams that bureaucrats take
What are the two roads to employer ship that bureaucrats take?
competitive-take a test
non-competitive
Bureaucrats are expected to be?
non-political
What are the three parts of the iron triangle?
Agency, committee, and interest group
Agency ex.
department of veteran affairs
Committee ex.
House and senate committee on veteran affairs
Interest group ex.
american legion, wounded warrior project
what is an issue network?
iron triangle + academia, think tanks, round tables
define red tape
too many rules and procedures to follow
define conflict among agencies
repetition and interferance
define duplication
repetition, doing the same things
define growth
bureaucracy, agencies, depts., everything continues to expand
define waste:
the govt. doesn’t track all of the spending well, so they waste a lot of money
What is the main function of bureaucracy?
implementation
define implementation
putting into action the laws that Congress has passed
define bureaucratic discretion
some discretion to decide how a law is implemented
define regulation
process through which federal bureaucracy fills in critical details of a law
Hatch Act:
ruled: you can’t raise money for campaigns, prohibited from participation in federal campaigns, or holding elected office
Checks on the bureacracy:
Control, oversight, and reform:
mainly by the executive branch.
What does the GAO (government accountability office) do?
makes sure that funds are being spent appropriately.
