Unit 2 - Judiciary & Bureaucracy

Question 1

What is a bureaucrat?

Answer 1

An official in a government department or agency

Question 2

What is the bureaucracy?

Answer 2

a system of gov organizations that operate like a business (they write + enforce regulations, issue fines for non-compliance, testify before Congress, and issue networks +

Question 3

Issue networks

Answer 3

Issue networks are an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a common cause or agenda in a way that influences government policy.
more informal than interest groups

Question 4

Iron Triangle

Answer 4

term used to describe relationship that develops between congressional committees, fed bureaucracy, and interest groups during the policy creation process

Question 5

Administrative Discretion

Answer 5

It is the exercise of professional expertise and judgment, as opposed to strict adherence to regulations or statutes, in making a decision. T
~The power to choose a select solution out of many options

(so pretty much when you have flexibility/freedom in making your decision)

Question 6

Civil Service

Answer 6

The body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial

USPS worker, police officer, 911 dispatcher

Question 7

Spoils System

Answer 7

This is the practice of giving offices to people that support the party no matter their qualifications to be in that position.

Question 8

Merit System

Answer 8

nonpolitical gov employees are hired and promoted based on ability (not political connections)

Question 9

Department of Homeland Security

Answer 9

protects American citizens from terrorism and maintains control of the boarders

Question 10

Department of Transportation

Answer 10

To deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.

Question 11

Department of Veteran Affairs

Answer 11

ensures the general welfare of the nation’s veterans

Question 12

Department of Education

Answer 12

-establishes policy for, administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education.
- assists the president in executing his education policies for the nation and in implementing laws enacted by Congress.

Question 13

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer 13

looks over the environment and human health

Question 14

Federal Election Commission

Answer 14

enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and oversee the public funding of presidential elections.

Question 15

Securities and Exchange Commission:

Answer 15

controls the stock market and prevents occurrence of fraud
- prevents market manipulation

Question 16

Discretionary authority

Answer 16

an agency’s ability to decide whether or not to take certain courses of action when implementing existing laws
+ decide how & when to implement laws

Question 17

Rulemaking Authority

Answer 17

an agency’s ability to make rules taht affect how programs operate and FORCE states/corporations to obey those rules as if they were law

Question 18

Power of Purse

Answer 18

the power of the House of Representatives to approve the spending by the federal government

Question 19

Congressional Oversight

Answer 19

agency heads must testify before Congressional standing committees to talk about how funds are used or what work is done

Question 20

Independent Regulatory Commission

Answer 20

regulate a specific economic activity or interest
*independent from Congress + President

Federal Communications Commission, Federal Reserve System

Question 21

Presidential Cabinet

Answer 21

The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the members of the Cabinet are often the President’s closest confidants.

Question 22

Independent Executive Agency

Answer 22

performed a service function = narrow areas of responsibility;
*established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch. Works to accomplish the goals of the department. (ex. NASA, CIA, EPA)

Question 23

Government Corporation

Answer 23

a government agency that is established by Congress to provide a market-oriented public service and to produce revenues that meet or approximate its expenditures.
~may not make revenue but must serve a public need

US Postal Service, Federal Deposit Insurance

Question 24

Office of Personnel Management

Answer 24

Chief human resources agency for federal government

Question 25

Office of Managament and Budget

Answer 25

oversees the implementation of the President’s vision across the Executive Branch

Question 26

Hatch Act

Answer 26

restricts Federal employees involvement in partisan political activity while on duty

Question 27

Pendleton Act

Answer 27

enforces the idea that federal government jobs would be awarded on a basis of merit
~ Made it unlawful to fire or demote someone for political, racial, or religion reasons

Question 28

Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable

Answer 28

• President can fire department heads
• President can make executive orders
• Congress standing committees investigate how -funds are used or what work is done at agencies
• Congress can pass legislation
• Congress can increase/decrease funds for bureaucracies
• Senate confirms department head appointees
• SCOTUS can rule bureaucratic actions unconstitutional

Question 29

Federal Register

Answer 29

the official journal of the United States that publishes gency rules, proposed rules, and public notices to inform citizens