Bureaucracy Flashcards Chapter 11

Questions and Answers

Privatization is a way to?

Reduce big government by doing without some of the programs it once provided.

Reduce government costs by relocating government programs to private groups or corporations. (correct)

Shrink the federal budget by selling government services or property in the private sector.

Increase the government's role by purchasing private companies.

Who has the authority to set interest rates and lending activities for the nation's banks?

The Federal Reserve System (correct)

The Secretary of the Treasury

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

The Internal Revenue Service

The Civil Service Act of 1883 instituted a system based upon?

Market principles

Patronage

Merit (correct)

Unfair principles

Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, how were government appointments handled?

Appointments were made to political supporters as part of a spoils system. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a government corporation?

Amtrak Signup and view all the answers

The Civil Service Act of 1883 attempted to pattern government hiring after practices found in?

Business Signup and view all the answers

The Government Accountability Office provides oversight powers for?

Congress Signup and view all the answers

_____ is when bureaucrats attempt to translate laws into specific rules and actions.

Implementation Signup and view all the answers

Public bureaucracies are powerful because?

Legislatures, chief executives, and the people delegate vast power to them. Signup and view all the answers

The use of taxing and spending powers to shape the economy is part of _____ policy.

Fiscal Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of most federal bureaus?

Congress passes laws creating and funding most federal bureaus. Signup and view all the answers

Civil servants were given legal protection against being fired without a show of cause in order to?

Cleanse bureaucracy of political interference while upgrading performance. Signup and view all the answers

An independent agency is an executive branch organization that?

Is established by Congress but not part of a Cabinet-level department. Signup and view all the answers

_____ is the primary mission of the State Department.

Diplomacy Signup and view all the answers

Congress expects the federal bureaucracy to?

Engage in rule making and implementation of the laws it passes. Signup and view all the answers

A bureau charged with putting restrictions and obligations on individuals or corporations in the private sector is called a _____ agency.

Regulatory Signup and view all the answers

Often working behind the scenes, _____ seek to promote the public welfare of all Americans.

Regulatory agencies Signup and view all the answers

The most visible indication of oversight is the?

Use of public hearings before congressional committees and subcommittees. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the merit system is INACCURATE?

Every member and official of a government agency has been appointed as part of the merit system. Signup and view all the answers

The concept of oversight refers to the effort made by?

Congress to make executive agencies accountable for their actions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Congress and the bureaucracy is not true?

Congress banned rule making by the federal bureaucracy in 1995. Signup and view all the answers

The Civil Service Act of 1883 required that appointees to positions within the federal bureaucracy?

Be qualified for the job to which they were appointed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the size of the federal service?

The size of the federal service has changed very little since 1980. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a government corporation?

Amtrak Signup and view all the answers

A stable relationship between a bureaucratic agency, an interest group, and a legislative committee is called?

An iron triangle. Signup and view all the answers

The State Department's primary mission is?

Engaging in diplomacy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is most accurate?

The range of information deemed sensitive has been greatly expanded in response to terrorism. Signup and view all the answers

Americans refer to government policy about banks, credit, and currency as?

Monetary policy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a revenue agency?

The Internal Revenue Service Signup and view all the answers

Which president instituted the bureaucratic reform called the National Performance Review?

Bill Clinton Signup and view all the answers

When congressional hearings on bureaucratic agency operations are prompted by media attention or advocacy group complaints, it is an example of?

"Fire alarm" oversight. Signup and view all the answers

Devolution refers to?

A policy to remove a program from one level of government by passing it down. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of bureaucracy?

The complex structure of offices, tasks, rules, and principles of organization that are employed by all large-scale institutions to coordinate the work of their personnel. Signup and view all the answers

What is a department?

The largest subunit of the executive branch; the secretaries of the 15 departments form the Cabinet. Signup and view all the answers

What is devolution?

A policy to remove a program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Federal Reserve System?

A system of 12 Federal Reserve banks that facilitates exchanges of cash, checks, and credit; regulates member banks; and uses monetary policies to fight inflation and deflation. Signup and view all the answers

What is "fire alarm" oversight?

Episodic, as-needed congressional hearings on bureaucratic agency operations, usually prompted by media attention or advocacy group complaints. Signup and view all the answers

What is fiscal policy?

The government's use of taxing, monetary, and spending powers to manipulate the economy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a government corporation?

A government agency that performs a service normally provided by the private sector. Signup and view all the answers

What is implementation?

The efforts of departments and agencies to translate laws into specific bureaucratic rules and actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent agency?

An agency that is not part of a cabinet department. Signup and view all the answers

What is an iron triangle?

The stable, cooperative relationship that often develops among a congressional committee, an administrative agency, and one or more supportive interest groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is the merit system?

A product of civil service reform, in which appointees to positions in public bureaucracies must objectively be deemed qualified. Signup and view all the answers

What is oversight?

The effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies. Signup and view all the answers

What is "police patrol" oversight?

Regular or even preemptive congressional hearings on bureaucratic agency operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is privatization?

The transfer of all or part of a program from the public sector to the private sector. Signup and view all the answers

What is a regulatory agency?

An agency responsible for collecting taxes; examples include the Internal Revenue Service. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Privatization and Bureaucracy

Privatization aims to reduce government costs by relocating programs to private entities.
Federal Reserve System regulates interest rates and lending for national banks.

Civil Service and Appointments

The Civil Service Act of 1883 established a merit-based hiring system for federal jobs.
Prior to this act, government appointments were made based on political favoritism (spoils system).

Government Corporations

Amtrak serves as an example of a government corporation providing services typically offered by private sectors.

Function of Bureaucracy

Bureaucratic hiring practices were modeled after business standards to enhance efficiency.
The Government Accountability Office provides oversight for Congress, ensuring accountability in federal operations.

Bureaucratic Implementation

Implementation refers to how bureaucrats translate laws into actionable rules and guidelines.
The public bureaucracy is powerful due to the significant authority delegated by lawmakers and executives.

Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Fiscal policy involves government strategies using taxes and spending to influence the economy.
Monetary policy regulates banking and currency, managed primarily by the Federal Reserve.

Congressional Responsibilities

Congress holds bureaucracies accountable through rule-making and law implementation.
Oversight is defined as Congress's effort to monitor executive agency actions, facilitated by public hearings and investigations.

Independent Agencies and Iron Triangles

Independent agencies are created by Congress and operate outside of Cabinet departments.
Iron triangles describe stable relationships among congressional committees, agencies, and interest groups, influencing policy.

Federal Bureaucracy Size and Structure

Federal service size has remained relatively constant since 1980, despite growth fluctuations in earlier decades.
Departments represent the largest subunits in the executive branch, with Cabinet members leading these entities.

Regulatory Agencies and Fire Alarm Oversight

Regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration safeguard public welfare through oversight.
Fire alarm oversight is characterized by congressional hearings prompted by public or media alerts concerning bureaucratic operations.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

FOIA allows public access to government information, but the scope of sensitive information has expanded in post-9/11 security contexts.

Characteristics of Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy is defined as a structured organization composed of offices and rules designed to coordinate large-scale institutions.
A merit system requires objective qualifications for job appointments within the bureaucracy to enhance professionalism and reduce political interference.

Devolution and Regulations

Devolution refers to shifting responsibility from higher levels of government to lower levels, such as transferring programs from federal to state.
Regulatory agencies impose obligations on individuals and corporations to adhere to standards set forth by the government.

Summary of Terms

Government Corporation: An entity providing services usually offered by the private sector.
Implementation: The bureaucratic process of enacting laws as operational rules.
Oversight: Congress’s monitoring of executive actions.
Iron Triangle: Collaboration between Congress, agencies, and interest groups for policy influence.

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Test your knowledge on Chapter 11 of Bureaucracy with these flashcards. This quiz covers key concepts such as privatization and its implications for government programs and costs. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of bureaucratic processes.