Chapter 13 Vocab: The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government Flashcards
Bureaucracy
A system of organization and control based on the principles of hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules. (See also “formalized rules;” “hierarchical authority;” “job specialization.”)
Hierarchical authority
A basic principle of bureaucracy; the chain of command within an organization whereby officials and units have control over those below them. (See also “bureaucracy”)
Job specialization
A basic principle of bureaucracy holding that the responsibilities of each job position should be defined explicitely and that a precise division of labor within the organization should be maintained. (See also “bureaucracy.”)
Formalized rules
A basic principle of bureaucracy; the standardized procedures and established regulations by which a bureaucracy conducts its operations. (See also “bureaucracy.”)
Cabinet (executive) departments
The major administrative organizations within the federal executive bureaucracy, each of which is headed by a secretary or, in the case of Justice, the attorney general. Each department has responsibility for a major function of the federal government, such as defense, agriculture, or justice. (See also “independent agencies.”)
Independent agencies
Bureaucratic agencies that are similar to cabinet departments but usually have a narrower area of responsibility. Each such agency is headed by a presidential appointee who is not a cabinet member. An example is NASA.
Regulatory agencies
Administrative units, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that have responsibility for monitoring and regulating ongoing economic activities and regulating industrial pollution, respectively.
Government corporations
Government bodies, such as the U.S. Postal Service and Amtrak, that are similar to private corporations in that they charge for their services but differ in that they receive federal finding to help defray expenses. Their directors are appointed by the president with Senate approval.
Presidential commissions
Organizations within the bureaucracy that are headed by commissioners appointed by the president. An example is the Commission on Civil Rights.
Merit system
An approach to managing the bureaucracy whereby people are appointed to government positions on the basis of either competitive examinations or special qualifications, such as professional training. (See also “patronage system.”)
Patronage system
An approach to managing the bureaucracy whereby people are appointed to important government positions as a reward for political services they have rendered and because of their partisan loyalty. (See also “merit system;” “spoils system.”)
Spoils system
The practice of granting public office to individuals in return for political favors they have rendered. (See also “patronage system.”)
Neutral competence
The administrative objective of a merit-based bureaucracy. Such a bureaucracy should be “competent” in the sense that its employees are hired and retained on the basis of their expertise and “neutral” in the sense that it operates by objective standards rather than partisan ones.
Budgetary process
The process through which annual federal spending and revenue determinations are made.
Policy implementation
The primary function of the bureaucracy; the process of carrying out the authoritative decisions of Congress, the president, and the courts.
