Chapter 15 Terms Flashcards
Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to staff and administer federal programs.
Government by proxy
An economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with economic commerce.
Laissez-faire
The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by law.
Discretionary authority
The government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria.
Competitive service
A job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified.
Name-request job
A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.
Iron triangle
A network of people in Washington, D.C. based interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities, and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies.
Issue network
Legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency.
Authorization legislation
A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.
Appropriation
Funds for government programs collected and spent outside the regular government budget.
Trust funds
The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law.
Committee clearance
The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does NOT have this power.
Legislative veto
Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.
Red tape
A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.
Bureaucracy
