Vocabulary
Domestic Affairs
all matters not directly connected to the realm of foreign affairs
Who decides when the cabinet meets? / Who calls for the meetings?
The President
Give an example of an independent agency mentioned in the book.
NASA, EPA, GSA, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, OPM, SEC, Peace Corps, Civil Rights Commission, Federal Election Commission, National Transportation Safety Board...
What was the Spoils System? Give an example...
The practice of giving offices and other favors of government to political supporters and friends (even if they weren't qualified, or performing their job appropriately).
How many departments make up the cabinet?
15
Federal Budget
a plan for the federal government's revenues and spending for the coming year
How/why was the cabinet born?
Out of custom - George Washington kept seeking advice from the executive department heads and the following presidents did the same, creating a custom.
How are independent agencies different from regular executive departments?
Some are outside of the executive department branch and are mostly free of presidential control. Some carry out business-like functions.
What was the purpose of the Pendleton Act?
The Pendleton Act made merit-the quality of one's work-the basis for hiring, promotion, and other personal actions in the federal work force.
What does NASA do?
Oversees everything involving non-war related space exploration (but it's discoveries can be beneficial to the President for war-time information)
Fiscal Year
A 12-month periodd, October through Septmeber, for planning the federal budget
Except for the Department of Justice, each Executive Department is headed by a...
What's the main purpose of the independent regulatory commissions?
To regulate important the nation's economy independent of Presidential influence or control.
What is the purpose of the civil service?
To perform the administrative work of the Federal Government.
Administration
a team of executive branch officials
Bureaurcracy
A 12-month period, October through September, for planning the federal budget
What two roles do Cabinet members have?
1. They are heads of their executive department.
2. They act as advisors to the President.
What's the difference between a Government Corporation and Private Corporations?
Government corporations' purposes are set by Congress; their officers are public officers; and they are publicly funded.
How did the Spoils System affect the quality of the public work force?
It was blamed for leading to widespread corruption.
Government Corporation
A government organization that is controlled by the President and, like business corporations, provides a service that could be delivered by the private sector and typically charges for its services. The U.S. Postal Service is an example.
Attorney General
the head of the department of justice
Who appoints the head of each executive department/cabinet members?
The President
What are the three types of independent agencies?
Independent executive agencies, independent regulatory commissions, and government corporations.
What is the defining characteristic of a bipartisan group?
It's made up of two political parties.
additional agencies created by Congress located outside the Cabinet departments to help regulate & manage work