Chapter 14: The Bureaucracy Flashcards
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY
A federal, state, or local government unit established to perform a specific function. Administrative agencies are created and authorized by legislative bodies to administer an enforce specific laws.
Bureaucracy
A large organization that is structured hierarchically to carry out specific functions.
WEBERIAN MODEL
A model of bureaucracy developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, who viewed bureaucracies as rational, hierarchical organizations in which power flows from the top downward and decisions are based on logical reasoning and data analysis.
ACQUISITIVE MODEL
A model of bureaucracy that view top level bureaucrats as seeking constantly to expand the size of their budgets and the staffs of their departments or agencies so as to gain greater power and influence in the public sector.
MONOPOLISTIC MODEL
A model of bureaucracy that compares bureaucracies to monopolistic business firms. Lack of competition within a bureaucracy leads to inefficient and costly operations. Because bureaucracies are not penalized for inefficiency, there is no incentive to reduce costs or use resources more productively.
GARBAGE CAN MODEL
A model of bureaucracy that characterizes bureaucracies as rudderless entities with little formal organization in which solutions to problems are based on trial and error rather than rational policy planning.
CABINET DEPARTMENT
One of the fourteen departments of the executive branch ( State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Energy, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs).
LINE ORGANIZATION
With respect to the federal government, an administrative unit that is directly accountable to the president.
INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE AGENCY
A federal agency that is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president.
INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCY
An agency outside the major executive departments charged with making and implementing rules and regulations to protect the public interest.
CAPTURE
The act of gaining direct or indirect control over agency personnel and decision makers by the industry that is being regulated.
GOVERNMENT CORPORATION
An agency of government that administrators a quasi-business enterprise. These corporations are used when activities are primarily commercial. They produce revenue for their continued existence, and they require greater flexibility than is permitted for departments and agencies.
NATURAL ARISTOCRACY
A small ruling clique of a society’s “best” citizens, whose membership is based on birth, wealth, and ability. The Jeffersonian era emphasized government rule by such a group.
SPOILS SYSTEM
The awarding of government jobs to political jobs to political supporters and friends; generally associated with President Andrew Jackson.
MERIT SYSTEM
The selection, retention, and promotion of government employees on the basis of competitive examinations.
PENDLETON ACT (CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT)
The law, as amended over the years, that remains the basic statute regulating federal employment personnel policies. It est. the principle of employment o the basis of merit and created the Civil Service Commission to administer the personnel service.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The initial central personnel agency of the national government; created in 1883.
HATCH ACT (POLITICAL ACTIVITIES ACT)
The act that prohibits the use of federal authority to influence nominations and elections or the use of rank to pressure federal employees to make political contributions. It also prohibits civil service employees from active involvement in political campaigns.
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT
A law that requires all multi head federal agencies to conduct their business regularly in public session.
SUNSET LEGISLATION
A law requiring that an existing program be reviewed regularly for its effectiveness and be terminated unless specifically extended as a result of this review.
CONTRACTING OUT
The replacement of government services with services provided by private firms.
WHISTLEBLOWER
Someone who brings to public attention gross governmental inefficiency or an illegal action.
ENABLING LEGISLATION
A statute enacted by Congress that authorizes the creation of an administrative agency and specifies the name, purpose, composition, functions, and powers of the agency being created.
IRON TRIANGLE
The 3 way alliance among legislation, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.
ISSUE NETWORK
A group of individuals or organizations- which may consists of legislations or legislative staff members, interest group leaders, bureaucrats, the media, scholars, and other experts- that supports a particular policy position on a given issue, such as one relating to the environment, taxation, or consumer safety.
AUTHORIZATION
A formal declaration by a legislative committee that a certain amount of funding may be available to an agency. Some authorizations terminate in a year; others are renewable automatically without further congressional action.
APPROPRIATION
The passage, by Congress, of a spending bill, specifying the amount of authorized funds that actually will be allocated for an agency’s use.
