Bureaucracy in Government

Bureaucracy

• Bureaucrats have flexibility in implementing policies due to a lack of specific guidelines from Congress.
• Bureaucrats often have more specialized knowledge in their policy area than average congressional members.
• Early Americans were wary of a strong federal bureaucracy, partly due to experiences during the Revolutionary War.
• Civil servants are rarely fired from their government jobs.
• The Hatch Act restricts the political activities of federal employees, but employees can still vote.
• Presidents select heads of bureaucratic departments to exert control over their actions.
• Congress monitors bureaucracy through oversight methods, such as "fire alarm" and "police patrol."
• Bureaucratic drift is still a concern today.
• Citizens often interact with the bureaucracy in daily life.
• A political appointee is a government worker chosen by an elected official.
• Civil servants are hired based on qualifications.
• The bureaucracy implements government policy through regulations.
• Regulations are developed through a notice and comment procedure.
• Red tape refers to unnecessary and complex bureaucratic procedures.
• Congress conducts hearings to investigate the bureaucracy, a form of oversight.

Courts

• Plea bargaining is the process where most cases are settled out of trial.
• The plaintiff initiates a legal case.
• The defendant is the party against whom the case is filed.
• Precedent refers to earlier court decisions that guide future cases.
• Cases with substantial interest group involvement are more likely to be heard by the Supreme Court.
• The concept of a "living Constitution" suggests that the legal system should adapt to modern societal changes.
• Supreme Court decisions are often influenced by the justices' ideological leanings.
• Supreme Court rulings lack enforcement power.
• Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review.
• Judicial review allows the court to determine if laws are constitutional.
• The Missouri Plan for selecting judges involves a governor nominating candidates from a list.
• FDR's court-packing plan sought to influence Supreme Court rulings in favor of his New Deal policies.

Economic and Social Policy

• Congress controls government funding.
• Mandatory spending is legally required.
• Regressive taxes (e.g., payroll, sales) affect lower-income earners disproportionately.
• Progressive taxes (e.g., income) affect higher earners disproportionately.
• New Deal policies have lasting impact.
• Social Security is a popular U.S. program.
• Baby boomers will strain the Social Security system due to their retirement.
• Republicans are trying to reform Social Security.
• Medicaid and Medicare are government programs offering benefits.
• The U.S. Treasury produces currency.
• State governments are responsible for education and welfare.
• National debt represents the federal government's accumulated borrowing.
• Fiscal policy refers to government decisions on taxation and spending.
• Baby boomers are Americans born between 1946 and 1964.

Foreign Policy

• Foreign policy involves actions related to other countries and groups.
• Foreign policy can include military, economic, human rights, environmental, and assistance initiatives.
• Unilateral actions are taken by a single country.
• Multilateral actions are performed with other countries.
• The U.S., Russia, China, Great Britain, and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council.
• Foreign trade is an important part of the U.S. economy.
• Isolationism proposes U.S. non-involvement in foreign affairs.
• The League of Nations preceded the United Nations.
• Military strength alone is not a guarantee of success in foreign policy.

This quiz explores the roles and functions of bureaucracy in the government. It covers topics such as the flexibility of bureaucrats, the Hatch Act, and the relationship between Congress and bureaucratic agencies. Test your understanding of how bureaucracy influences policy and citizen interaction.