Chapter 14: The Bureaucracy

Question 0

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY

Answer 0

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.

Question 1

Bureaucracy

Answer 1

A large organization that is structured hierarchically to carry out specific functions.

Question 2

WEBERIAN MODEL

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

ACQUISITIVE MODEL

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

MONOPOLISTIC MODEL

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

GARBAGE CAN MODEL

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

CABINET DEPARTMENT

Answer 6

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).

Question 7

LINE ORGANIZATION

Answer 7

With respect to the federal government, an administrative unit that is directly accountable to the president.

Question 8

INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE AGENCY

Answer 8

A federal agency that is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president.

Question 9

INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCY

Answer 9

An agency outside the major executive departments charged with making and implementing rules and regulations to protect the public interest.

Question 10

CAPTURE

Answer 10

The act of gaining direct or indirect control over agency personnel and decision makers by the industry that is being regulated.

Question 11

GOVERNMENT CORPORATION

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

NATURAL ARISTOCRACY

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

SPOILS SYSTEM

Answer 13

The awarding of government jobs to political jobs to political supporters and friends; generally associated with President Andrew Jackson.

Question 14

MERIT SYSTEM

Answer 14

The selection, retention, and promotion of government employees on the basis of competitive examinations.

Question 15

PENDLETON ACT (CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT)

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Answer 16

The initial central personnel agency of the national government; created in 1883.

Question 17

HATCH ACT (POLITICAL ACTIVITIES ACT)

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT

Answer 18

A law that requires all multi head federal agencies to conduct their business regularly in public session.

Question 19

SUNSET LEGISLATION

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

CONTRACTING OUT

Answer 20

The replacement of government services with services provided by private firms.

Question 21

WHISTLEBLOWER

Answer 21

Someone who brings to public attention gross governmental inefficiency or an illegal action.

Question 22

ENABLING LEGISLATION

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

IRON TRIANGLE

Answer 23

The 3 way alliance among legislation, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.

Question 24

ISSUE NETWORK

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

AUTHORIZATION

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

APPROPRIATION

Answer 26

The passage, by Congress, of a spending bill, specifying the amount of authorized funds that actually will be allocated for an agency’s use.