Lane 1
All of the following are core characteristics of a bureaucracy—hierarchical authority, formalized rules, and job specialization—EXCEPT for this chaotic trait."
What is a lack of formal organization?
This is the Nations largest employer
Who is federal government?
Performs three primary tasks in government: implementation, administration, and regulation.
What is the federal bureaucracy?
While line agencies deal directly with the public, these specific units are created to provide support and aid other agencies in completing their goals.
What are staff agencies?
While it serves as the President’s "right arm" and acts as an umbrella for multiple support agencies, this 3-letter organization notably does not possess power equal to that of the President.
What is the EOP (Executive Office of the President)?
Established in 1947, this body serves as the President's principal forum and advisory board for considering national security and foreign policy matters."
What is the National Security Council (or NSC)?
All heads of the executive departments are known as secretaries, except for the head of this department.
Who is the Attorney General?
Members of the Cabinet act as heads of their departments as well as this, providing direct guidance and recommendations to the President.
What are advisors? (or "What is an advisory body?")
While these bodies are created to handle complex tasks or maintain bipartisan neutrality, this is not a reason they are formed, as they must still operate within the system of checks and balances.
What are Independent Agencies?
While most independent agencies fall under the executive branch's umbrella, these specific bodies—such as the FCC—are unique because they are designed to operate without direct presidential direction or control.
What are Independent Regulatory Commissions?
While the 1993 Federal Employees Political Activities Act relaxed many Hatch Act restrictions, it still forbids federal workers from doing this while on duty or using their official authority to influence an election.
What is engaging in political activity?
This 1883 law ended the 'spoils system' by requiring federal jobs to be awarded based on merit rather than political affiliation.
What is the Pendleton Act?
While the President uses executive orders to oversight this "fourth branch," Congress wields the "power of the purse" to control its funding.
What are the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches?
With the exception of the Department of Justice, this is the formal title held by the head of every executive department in the U.S. Cabinet.
Who is the Secretary?
Most federal agencies rely on this branch of the legislative body to pass 'appropriations' bills to keep their lights on.
What is Congress?
Max Weber noted that while bureaucracies rely on job specialization and hierarchical authority, they notably do NOT include this chaotic characteristic.
What is a lack of formal organization?
These specific government bodies are created to fulfill a specific task or primary function.
What are Line Agencies?
Members of the Cabinet act as heads of their respective departments as well as these to the President.
Who are advisors?"
A complex organization of several separate agencies staffed by some 900 of the President’s closest advisors and assistants
Executive Office of the President or EOP
While independent agencies are created to handle complex tasks, provide bipartisan expertise, or protect certain functions from political pressure, they are never formed for this specific purpose regarding the Three Branches of Government
What is to create an agency immune from the system of checks and balances?
This independent Federal agency sends people into space
What is NASA?
This independent Federal agency delivers the mail
What is US Postal Service
This Federal Department helps Farmers
What is the department of agriculture?
This Federal agency protects the Environment
What is the EPA
This Federal agency regulates the Airwaves
What is the FCC