The Bureaucracy 1
what branch of the government contains the federal bureaucracy
the executive branch
what is the main job of the federal bureaucracy
to carry out and enforce laws and public policy
what are the presidents main advisory departments called
cabinet departments
which cabinet department handles government finances
what is patronage
giving government jobs based on political support
What are the four main types of bureaucratic organizations
Cabinet departments, independent executive agencies, independent regulatory commissions, and government corporations
What are government workers hired based on merit called
Civil servants
What process do agencies use to create regulations
Rule-making
What does implementation mean in government
Carrying out and applying laws and policies
Which executive official appoints many top bureaucratic leaders
The president
What is the term for the power agencies have to interpret laws
Bureaucratic discretion
What are regulations designed to do
To enforce laws and guide how policies are carried out
Which branch of government has the power to fund bureaucratic agencies
Congress
What is congressional oversight
Congress monitoring and supervising bureaucratic agencies
What type of agencies are independent from Cabinet departments and focus on specific tasks
Independent executive agencies
What is the purpose of independent regulatory commissions
To regulate specific parts of the economy or society
What is a government corporation
A business-like agency owned by the government
What is an example of a government corporation in the United States
The United States Postal Service
What is an iron triangle
A close relationship between Congress, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups
What is an issue network
A group of people and organizations connected by a shared policy interest
Which branch can declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional
The judicial branch
What is the Pendleton Act known for creating
The merit-based civil service system
Why is the bureaucracy sometimes called the “fourth branch” of government
Because it has a large amount of influence and power over policy
Why do critics argue the bureaucracy can be inefficient
Because it can be slow, complex, and difficult to manage
Why do supporters believe the bureaucracy is necessary
Because experts are needed to handle complex government responsibilities