The Federal Bureaucracy

Question 1

Bureaucracy

Answer 1

refers to an administrative system in which agencies staffed largely by nonelected officials preform specific tasks in accordance with standard procedures

Question 2

Bureaucrat

Answer 2

a civil servant dedicated to the details of administrative procedure

Question 3

Delegation

Answer 3

committing or entrusting a task or power to another

Question 4

3 key features of the Fed. Bureaucracy

Answer 4

1. Hierarchical authority- organization is constructed like a pyramid with chain of command going from top to bottom
2. Job organization- division of labor within the organization; each worker has specified responsibilities
3. Formalized rules- enable the bureaucracry to work according to an established set of regulations and procedures

Question 5

Formalized rules

Answer 5

enable the bureaucracry to work according to an established set of regulations and procedures

Question 6

Benefits of the Bur.

Answer 6

• allow people to work together on large and complex tasks in a more efficient manner
• hierarchical authority can increase agency speed by limiting conflicts over who has the authority to make the decisions
• efficiency and productivity are promoted by job specialization because workers can center on a specific task using their specialized skills and knowledge
• work can continue in spite of workers leaving the organization and new workers replacing them because of decisions based on defined standards

Question 7

Spoils System

Answer 7

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Question 8

Civil service

Answer 8

civilian employees who carry out the administrative tasks of government; set up by Jefferson and Washington

Question 9

Merit

Answer 9

the new standard for hiring and promotion of civil employees was based on this and the quality of one’s work

Question 10

Pendleton Act

Answer 10

1883; established the Civil Service Commission and abolished the old spoils system

Question 11

Reasons for the growth of Fed. Bur.

Answer 11

the implementation of the New Deal and WWII

Question 12

Hatch Act of 1939

Answer 12

limitation of federal employees in their political activities; allowed federal workers to vote in elections, but could not take part in part in partisan political activities

Question 13

Federal Employees Political Activities Act

Answer 13

1993; employees were allowed greater political opportunities under this; they can vote, help register new voters, contribute money to candidates and parties, and hold office in a political party

Question 14

Three levels of the Fed. Bur.

Answer 14

1. Executive office of president- key houses within this are: White House Office, Office of Management and Budget, and National Security Council
2. Executive departments- 15 (be familiar with)
3. Independent Agencies
   - Independent Executive Agencies (cabinet)
   - Government Corporations – Public Goods
   - Regulatory Agencies/Commissions

Question 15

Cabinet

Answer 15

an informal advisory body brought together by the president to serve his needs; not specifically mentioned in the Constitution or established by Congress; result of custom habit;

Question 16

Administrative Law

Answer 16

regulations drawn up by government bureaucracy that have the force of law

Question 17

Statutory Law

Answer 17

law passed by legislation

Question 18

Clients

Answer 18

members of groups whose needs are served by government agencies

Question 19

Standard operating procedures

Answer 19

clearly defined procedures that the bureaucracies operate according to; + and -; +: help ensure that everyone is treated alike and that decisions are less subjective; -; rigid making it difficult for individuals to receive prompt help, can make relationship between agency and client impersonal

Question 20

“Fourth branch of government”

Answer 20

the Fed. Bur. because of its power and pervasiveness: 4 main reasons– skill, size, powers, and desire for security

Question 21

Appropriations

Answer 21

legislative grants of money to finance a government program; agencies may not spend these

Question 22

Oversight

Answer 22

Bureaucrats cannot operate without this from congress; process of examining a department’s compliance with the law and scrutinizing its budget requests

Question 23

General Accounting office

Answer 23

a way of congress exercising checks over the bureaucracy; audits an agency’s finances and monitors its activities

Question 24

Freedom of Information Act

Answer 24

1974; provided citizens access to previously withheld information; information about bureaucratic activities permits more effective challenge and greater control by concerned citizens; helpful tool for restricting Bur. if used correctly

Question 25

Sunshine Act

Answer 25

provided greater citizen participation in Bur, decision-making; cast light on previously closed door meetings by requiring federal agencies to hold well-announced public hearings; allows citizens access to agency officials and a stronger voice in Bur. proceedings

Question 26

Problems with the Federal Bureaucracy

Answer 26

• Red tape
• Conflict
• Duplication
• Vague Goals
• Waste
• Bureaucratic Language – “bureaucratese”

Question 27

Red tape

Answer 27

Bur. paperwork

Question 28

Conflict

Answer 28

a result when some agencies misunderstand each others purposes and seem to work against each other

Question 29

Duplication

Answer 29

two government agencies doing the same thing; inefficiency

Question 30

Vague goals

Answer 30

caused when congress does not set clear standards; the agency sometimes takes the greatest view of its power and take advantage of this

Question 31

Waste

Answer 31

mismanagement of money,time, and personnel; inefficient

Question 32

Bureaucratic Language

Answer 32

use of vague sprawling language by the Bur. to describe something simple; language of Bur. regulations, documents, and forms; can make bad things seem worse

Question 33

Ways in Which Congress, the President, & Public hold the Bureaucracy Accountable

Answer 33

Con.- can exercise the checks over bur. by the General Accounting Act
Pres.- restricts power by reorganizing parts of the bur. or appointing an investigative force; can do away with jobs but cannot directly fire
Pub.- Freedom of Info. Act and Sunshine Act

Question 34

Arguments for EC

Answer 34

School

Question 35

Arguments against EC

Answer 35

School