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Questions and Answers
The national government is run like a business.
The national government is run like a business.
False (B)
What is the primary difference between a government and a business?
What is the primary difference between a government and a business?
What are two key differences between government and business?
What are two key differences between government and business?
Government exists for the public good, while businesses are driven by a profit motive. Government receives funds from taxpayers, while businesses receive funds from customers.
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following is NOT a difference between government and business as stated in the text?
Which of the following is NOT a difference between government and business as stated in the text?
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What is the significance of the statement "governments can learn much from business" in the context of the text?
What is the significance of the statement "governments can learn much from business" in the context of the text?
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Which branch of the U.S. government employs the most federal civilian workers?
Which branch of the U.S. government employs the most federal civilian workers?
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Decentralization of federal agencies makes it more difficult for citizens to access government services.
Decentralization of federal agencies makes it more difficult for citizens to access government services.
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Match the following federal agencies with their respective branches of government:
Match the following federal agencies with their respective branches of government:
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Which of the following are NOT allowed for federal employees? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are NOT allowed for federal employees? (Select all that apply)
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Federal employees may be candidates for public office in partisan elections.
Federal employees may be candidates for public office in partisan elections.
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Public employees view risks and rewards as similarly as their private sector counterparts.
Public employees view risks and rewards as similarly as their private sector counterparts.
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Federal employees can engage in political activity while using a government vehicle.
Federal employees can engage in political activity while using a government vehicle.
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What is the main goal of understanding bureaucracy, according to the text?
What is the main goal of understanding bureaucracy, according to the text?
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Federal employees may campaign for or against ______ questions.
Federal employees may campaign for or against ______ questions.
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What is the main reason why government cannot be run like a business, according to the text?
What is the main reason why government cannot be run like a business, according to the text?
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The size of state and local bureaucracies has decreased as federal responsibilities have been transferred back to them.
The size of state and local bureaucracies has decreased as federal responsibilities have been transferred back to them.
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What is the key difference between public and private sector employees in terms of risk and reward?
What is the key difference between public and private sector employees in terms of risk and reward?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of federal bureaucrats?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of federal bureaucrats?
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The majority of federal civilian employees work for the U.S. Postal Service.
The majority of federal civilian employees work for the U.S. Postal Service.
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What is the name of the pay scale used for most federal employees?
What is the name of the pay scale used for most federal employees?
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The Pendleton Act and subsequent reforms led to the selection of federal employees primarily based on ______ standards.
The Pendleton Act and subsequent reforms led to the selection of federal employees primarily based on ______ standards.
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Federal employees are protected from being dismissed for political reasons.
Federal employees are protected from being dismissed for political reasons.
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Which of the following is NOT included in the 1.8 million figure of federal workers in the executive branch?
Which of the following is NOT included in the 1.8 million figure of federal workers in the executive branch?
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Federal employees can progress in their careers by advancing within ______ grades and into higher levels and salaries.
Federal employees can progress in their careers by advancing within ______ grades and into higher levels and salaries.
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Most lower-level positions in the U.S. Civil Service are filled through competitive examinations that are similar to those used in the private sector.
Most lower-level positions in the U.S. Civil Service are filled through competitive examinations that are similar to those used in the private sector.
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Flashcards
Modern Bureaucracy
Modern Bureaucracy
A system of administration characterized by hierarchical structures, rules, and procedures for governmental functions.
Public Good
Public Good
Goods and services provided by the government for the benefit of the public, not intended for profit.
Profit Motive
Profit Motive
The incentive for businesses to maximize their profits, contrasting with government objectives.
Bureaucratic Responsibility
Bureaucratic Responsibility
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Re-election Motivation
Re-election Motivation
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Hatch Act
Hatch Act
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Political Activities Act (1993)
Political Activities Act (1993)
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Federal Civilian Employment
Federal Civilian Employment
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Distribution of Employment
Distribution of Employment
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U.S. Postal Service
U.S. Postal Service
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Decentralization of Bureaucracy
Decentralization of Bureaucracy
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Concerns about Workforce Aging
Concerns about Workforce Aging
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Federal Employees' Political Activity
Federal Employees' Political Activity
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Nonpartisan Elections
Nonpartisan Elections
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Voter Registration Drives
Voter Registration Drives
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Political Contributions
Political Contributions
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Political Rallies and Meetings
Political Rallies and Meetings
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Campaigning Restrictions
Campaigning Restrictions
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Soliciting Contributions
Soliciting Contributions
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Partisan Elections
Partisan Elections
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Political Uniform Restrictions
Political Uniform Restrictions
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Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
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Public vs Private Employees
Public vs Private Employees
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Government vs Business
Government vs Business
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Two Percent Club
Two Percent Club
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Super Departments
Super Departments
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Clinton Administration Reform
Clinton Administration Reform
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Bush Administration Innovations
Bush Administration Innovations
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Post-9/11 Bureaucracy
Post-9/11 Bureaucracy
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State and Local Bureaucracy Growth
State and Local Bureaucracy Growth
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Federal Bureaucracy Focus
Federal Bureaucracy Focus
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Federal Bureaucrats
Federal Bureaucrats
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Executive Branch
Executive Branch
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General Schedule (GS)
General Schedule (GS)
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Merit Standards
Merit Standards
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Civil Service Exams
Civil Service Exams
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Truman Administration
Truman Administration
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Pendleton Act
Pendleton Act
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Civilian Employees
Civilian Employees
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Competitive Examinations
Competitive Examinations
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Study Notes
The Modern Bureaucracy
- Critics argue that the national government isn't run like a business, unlike private businesses and other levels of government.
- Government operates for public good, not profit, unlike businesses.
- Businesses are driven by profit, while government leaders are motivated by reelection; bureaucrats are not.
- Businesses receive funding from customers, while government funding comes from taxpayers.
- It's challenging to determine who bureaucracies are accountable to—the president, Congress, or the citizenry.
- Governments can improve by learning from business practices and implementing recent reforms.
Federal Bureaucrats
- Federal bureaucrats comprise career government employees in executive branches, departments and independent agencies.
- There are about 1.8 million federal workers (excluding postal and military).
- Federal employees are typically chosen based on merit through tests and educational criteria (not political ties).
- This system protects employees from being fired due to political reasons.
- Lower levels of the federal government often require competitive written exams for jobs.
- Higher-level positions (mid to upper levels) typically don't involve tests—instead, resumes are used to rank candidates.
- A significant portion of the federal workforce (approximately 10%) isn't governed by the civil service system.
- These remaining positions often consist of appointive policy-making roles (e.g., Cabinet secretaries; positions requiring Senate confirmation).
- Independent regulatory commissions—these are also appointed by the president but aren't subjected to their political influence.
- Low-level, nonpolicy patronage positions—these positions (e.g., clerical or secretarial assistants) are not as often politically influential.
- The federal workforce exhibits a diversity that mirrors the United States population in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender; however, employment of women lags behind men in higher-level roles.
Bureaucracy Operations
- Government operations differ significantly from businesses due to incentives prioritized in minimizing mistakes.
- Bureaucracy organization and personnel are important factors.
- Reforms have been attempted to improve bureaucracy—including attempts to reduce size by presidents; such as Nixon's plan for consolidating departments into fewer larger ones. The Clinton administration also focused on cutting regulations, improving customer service, and shifting towards digital operations. The Bush Administration prioritized returning responsibilities to state and local governments and continued Clinton-era efforts to improve efficiency.
- Federal workers are typically selected through civil service exams, with explicit criteria.
- Decentralization of agencies within regions is done to improve accessibility/efficiency.
- Efforts to reduce bureaucracy have not always been successful, and the federal bureaucracy's size can grow as a result of unexpected events.
- The federal workforce is aging.
- Methods for removing federal workers for poor performance are carefully regulated.
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Description
Explore the complexities of modern bureaucracy and the role of federal bureaucrats in the government. This quiz delves into the differences between public and private sector operations, accountability issues, and the merit-based hiring practices in federal employment.