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