An administrative system governed by a hierarchy of authority, specialized roles, and standardized rules.
What is the Bureaucracy?
The power granted to government agencies and public officials to make independent choices and judgments when implementing laws.
What is discretionary authority?
The practice of appointing supporters, friends, or relatives to government jobs regardless of qualifications.
What is patronage?
An advisory body composed of appointed officers of the executive branch.
What is the Cabinet?
The power granted to administrative agencies to create, amend, and repeal regulations.
What is rule-making authority?
A system where promotion/selection depends on performance.
What is the merit system?
An official group of people/government agency assigned to perform a specific duty.
What is a commission?
The process by which legislative bodies investigate and supervise the executive branch, government agencies, and public programs.
What is oversight?
A federal law established in 1883 that stated that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit.
What is the Pendleton Act?
A legal entity created by the government to engage in commercial/business activities on its behalf.
What is a government corporation?
Laws that grant government agencies the authority to spend money from the public treasury.
What are appropriations?
Prohibits government employees from participating in politics.
What is the Hatch Act?
An individual who exposes government wrongdoing or corruption.
What is a whistle blower?
The process used by regulatory agencies to ensure that organizations, facilities, and individuals obey established laws, regulations, and permits.
What is compliance monitoring?
A policy-making alliance among congressional committees, interest groups, and federal bureaucratic agencies.
What is an iron triangle?