Government Agencies Overview

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Questions and Answers

What are the four basic types of agencies?

Cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, government corporations, and independent executive agencies.

How do the Cabinet Departments work?

Each of the 15 departments is headed by a secretary appointed by the president. They manage specific policy areas and have unique missions.

Where is the real work of a cabinet department done?

In the bureaus, which divide work into more specialized areas.

What is an Independent Regulatory Commission?

A government agency responsible for some sector of the economy, making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest. Signup and view all the answers

Why are independent regulatory commissions sometimes called alphabet soup?

Most agencies of this type are known in Washington by their initials. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of independent regulatory commissions?

FRB (Federal Reserve Bank), NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), FCC (Federal Communications Commission), FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Signup and view all the answers

Why is it hard to fire regulatory commission members?

They cannot be fired without just cause, which was determined in 1935 but remains undefined. Signup and view all the answers

Why do interest groups often 'capture' regulatory bodies?

They have significant influence over decisions that affect many people and often recruit from within regulatory bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Government Corporation?

A government organization that provides a service that could be provided by the private sector and typically charges for its services. Signup and view all the answers

What makes government corporations similar to private corporations?

They provide services that could be handled by the private sector and often charge for those services. Signup and view all the answers

What is the grandfather of government corporations?

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest government corporation?

The US Postal Service. Signup and view all the answers

What are Independent Executive Agencies?

Agencies not accounted for by cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, and government corporations. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of Independent Executive Agencies?

GSA (General Services Administration), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and NSF (National Science Foundation). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Types of Agencies

Four basic types of federal agencies: Cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, government corporations, and independent executive agencies.

Cabinet Departments

Comprise 15 departments, each led by a secretary appointed by the president.
Each department manages specific policy areas and has a distinct mission and organizational structure.

Work within Cabinet Departments

Real work is conducted within bureaus, which specialize tasks within each department.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Agencies that regulate specific economic sectors, creating and enforcing rules for public interest and handling disputes related to these regulations.

"Alphabet Soup" Terminology

Independent regulatory commissions often referred to by their initials, leading to the term "alphabet soup."

Examples of Independent Regulatory Commissions

Notable commissions include the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Job Security of Commission Members

Established in 1935, commission members cannot be dismissed without just cause, a term that remains undefined, leading to a lack of dismissals.

Regulatory Capture by Interest Groups

Interest groups may influence regulatory bodies since they are involved in significant decision-making processes and often recruit people from these agencies.

Government Corporations

Organizations that provide services similar to those of private corporations and usually charge fees; a key example is the United States Postal Service.

Similarities between Government and Private Corporations

Both provide services that could be offered by the private sector and typically charge for their services.

Founding Government Corporation

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is recognized as the original government corporation.

Largest Government Corporation

The United States Postal Service holds the title of the largest government corporation.

Independent Executive Agencies

These agencies operate outside traditional cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, and government corporations; their leaders are typically presidential appointees serving at the president's discretion.

Examples of Independent Executive Agencies

Notable agencies include the General Services Administration (GSA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and National Science Foundation (NSF).

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Description

This quiz explores the basic types of government agencies and their functions. It covers the four primary types of agencies, focusing on how Cabinet Departments operate. Test your knowledge of how these entities contribute to policy and governance.