Ch 14 Flashcards
Bureaucracy
the hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality
- 1 in 7 federal bureaucrats (federal civilian workers) work in Washington, DC.
Patronage
a hiring and promotion system where a job, promotion, or contract is given because of political reasons rather than merit or competence alone.
- working in a campaign or making large donations would help people secure a gov job
- This was how people got gov jobs until a century ago
Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883
act passed in 1883 that created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage. Most federal agencies follow a civil service system
civil service
a system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and to create a nonpartisan government service
merit system
the idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams and promotion ratings to produce an administration with skill and talent
Hatch Act (1939)
a federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics while on duty. For employees with sensitive positions, they may not participate in partisan politics at any time
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
in charge of hiring for most agencies of the federal government, using elaborate rules in the process.
GS (General Schedule) rating
a pay scale for federal employees, ranging from GS 1 to GS 18, by which salaries can be generated based on rating and experience
Senior Executive Service
an elite cadre of about 9,000 federal government managers at the top of the civil service system. They get paid the most and are at GS 16 to GS 18.
Independent regulatory commission
a government agency with responsibility for making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest in some sector of the economy and for judging disputes over these rules. Designed to be nonpartisan. Less responsive to Congress and the president than other agencies.
- Example–the Securities and Exchange Commission, created to police the stock market
Government corporation
a government organization that, like business corporations, provides a service that could be delivered by the private sector and typically charges for its services. The US Postal Service is an example.
Independent executive agencies
government agencies separate from the president’s cabinet. Their administrators are appointed by the President and the agency operates at the president’s pleasure. Example is NASA.
Policy implementation
stage of policymaking between the establishment of that policy, and the consequences of the policy for the people affected. Responsibility falls on the bureaucracy. Translates the goals/objectives of a policy into an operating, ongoing program. 3 elements:
- Creation of a new gov agency or assigning responsibility to an existing agency
- translating policy goals into operational rules or guidelines for a program
- Coordinating personnel and resources to achieve goals
Standard operating procedures
Standard rules. Procedures of everyday decision making that enable bureaucrats to bring efficiency and uniformity to the running of complex organizations. Uniformity promotes fairness and makes personnel interchangeable. Also makes decision-making quicker.
Administrative discretion
the authority of administrative officials in the bureaucracy to select among various responses a solution to a given problem. Discretion is greatest when routines, or standard operating procedures, do not fit a case. Example: a highway patrol officer decides whether or not to issue a ticket after stopping you
