TEST 2 AP Flashcards
Bureaucrat
A bureaucrat is a government official or civil servant who works within a structured system of administration, usually within a governmental agency. They are responsible for implementing policies and ensuring that laws and regulations are followed.
Bureaucracy
A system of government or management that is characterized by hierarchical authority, rigid rules, and formal procedures. It ensures consistent and predictable administration but can sometimes be criticized for inefficiency or lack of flexibility.
Weber’s Theory of Bureaucracy
Max Weber developed the theory of bureaucracy, which emphasized a formalized, hierarchical structure designed to achieve efficiency and rationality in organizations. He believed that bureaucracy is the most efficient way to manage large organizations, focusing on clear rules, specialized tasks, and professional, non-political staff.
Bureaucrats tend to operate in a culture where rules and regulations are strictly followed. There’s a strong emphasis on
Hierarchy: A clear chain of command.
Impersonality: Decision-making is based on rules, not personal relationships.
Specialization: Bureaucrats focus on specific tasks with expertise in those areas.
Formalization: A high degree of formal procedures and documentation.
The President has several key powers:
Veto Power: The ability to reject legislation passed by Congress.
Commander-in-Chief: Control over the military.
Executive Orders: Directives issued by the president that manage the operations of the federal government.
Appointments: The president appoints federal judges, Cabinet members, and other key officials.
Pardon Power: The ability to grant pardons for federal crimes.
“Sunshine” Laws:
Sunshine laws are statutes that require certain government proceedings, meetings, or records to be open or available to the public. They aim to increase transparency and public accountability.
Civil vs. Criminal Court:
Civil Court: Involves legal disputes between individuals or entities (e.g., contract disputes, property issues).
Criminal Court: Deals with cases where the government prosecutes someone for breaking the law (e.g., theft, assault).
Beyond Reasonable Doubt (Criminal): The standard of proof in criminal cases. The prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Preponderance of Evidence (Civil): The standard of proof in civil cases. The party with the greater weight of evidence wins.
Supreme Court’s Role:
The Supreme Court hears a very small number of cases each year, with only a fraction of petitions accepted for review.
The precedent decision is a ruling that sets an example for future cases, helping ensure consistency in the law.
The role of the judicial branch is to interpret laws, resolve disputes, and ensure that laws are applied fairly.
Public vs. Private Bureaucracy:
Public Bureaucracy: Part of the government, operates with more transparency and accountability due to public oversight.
Private Bureaucracy: Found in businesses or private organizations, typically operates with less transparency and is driven by profit motives.
Privatization:
Privatization is the process of transferring ownership or control of a government service or industry to the private sector.
Partisanship vs. Ideology:
Partisanship: Loyalty to a political party, often influencing policy decisions or attitudes.
Ideology: A set of beliefs or principles that guide a person’s or a group’s political behavior, which may transcend party lines.
Budget Equity vs. Budget Equality:
Budget Equity: Ensuring fairness in how public funds are distributed, usually based on needs or demands.
Budget Equality: Refers to equal allocation, which does not necessarily take into account differing needs or priorities.
General Fund vs. Enterprise Fund:
General Fund: The primary fund used by local governments for basic services like police, fire, and education.
Enterprise Fund: Used for services that charge fees, such as utilities or public transportation.
Electoral College:
The Electoral College consists of electors who vote to elect the President and Vice President. Each state gets electors based on the number of its representatives in Congress (Senators + House members).
Polls/Political Socialization:
Polls: Tools used to gauge public opinion. Their validity depends on factors like sampling methods and timing.
Political Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and develop their political beliefs, often influenced by family, media, education, and peers.
Media Bias:
Media bias refers to the tendency of media outlets to present information in a way that favors a particular viewpoint, party, or ideology.
Mandatory vs. Discretionary Programs:
Mandatory Programs: Programs that require funding by law, like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Discretionary Programs: Programs where the government has the discretion to set funding levels, like defense or education.
Governmental Debt in Budgeting:
This refers to the total money the government borrows to cover budget deficits, contributing to national debt.
Debt vs. Deficit:
Debt: The total amount the government owes over time.
Deficit: The annual shortfall between government spending and revenue.
Marbury v. Madison:
A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to declare laws unconstitutional
Presidential Power Base:
The President’s power comes from the Constitution, laws, and public support. A key function of the Executive Branch is to enforce laws passed by Congress.
Progressive Era and Pendleton Act:
The Progressive Era aimed to reform government and eliminate corruption, promote social justice, and increase government regulation on business.
The Pendleton Act (1883) established a merit-based system for federal government employment, reducing political patronage.
President’s Influence Over the Supreme Court:
The President can influence the Supreme Court by nominating justices, who are then confirmed by the Senate.
Federal Bureaucracy Examples:
Examples include the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Social Security Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Challenges of Local Government Budgets:
Local governments often face challenges like limited resources and unfunded mandates, and a significant portion of their budget goes toward personnel costs.
CIP in Budgeting:
CIP stands for Capital Improvement Program, which is used to plan for large, long-term investments like infrastructure or buildings.
Budget Surplus vs. Budget Deficit:
Surplus: When revenues exceed expenditures.
Deficit: When expenditures exceed revenues.
