Bureaucracy Key Terms

Question 1

Civil Service Commission

Answer 1

Agency created by the Pendleton Act of 1883 to fill federal jobs on the basis of merit

Question 2

Civil Service Reform Act
(1978)

Answer 2

Reformed the civil service of the United States federal government, partly in response to the Watergate scandal. The Act abolished the
U.S. Civil Service Commission and distributed its functions primarily among three new agencies

Question 3

Compliance monitoring

Answer 3

Bureaus establish whether a process/procedure is carried out by corporations in conformance with relevant legislation and regulations

Question 4

Freedom of Information Act

Answer 4

Federal law that requires any federal organization to disclose records, documents, or other materials to the general public upon request

Question 5

Hatch Act (1939)

Answer 5

Restricts federal employee participation in certain partisan political activities

Question 6

Iron triangle

Answer 6

When a bureaucratic agency, interest group, and congressional committee works together to advance its own agenda

Question 7

Legislative veto

Answer 7

Made by either the Senate or the House, which cancels a particular action or regulation made by an administrative agency

Question 8

Issue networks

Answer 8

Alliance of various interest groups/individuals to promote a common cause or agenda in a way that influences government policy

Question 9

Merit system

Answer 9

Promoting and hiring government employees based on their ability to perform a job, rather than on their political connections

Question 10

Spoils system

Answer 10

the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

Question 11

Patronage

Answer 11

The dispensing of government jobs to persons who belong to the winning political party

Question 12

Pendleton Civil Service Act

Answer 12

Legislation establishing permanent federal employment based on merit rather than political party affiliation

Question 13

Red tape

Answer 13

Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business which slows the process

Question 14

Sunshine Act

Answer 14

Amended Freedom of Information Act to increase transparency in federal government, clarified what can be withheld from publication

Question 15

Whistleblower Protection Act

Answer 15

Protects federal government workers who report possible existence of activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations, etc.