AFG Chapter 11

Which of the following statements is true about government corporations? a. Government corporations do not usually have any stockholders. b. Government corporations do not employ many people. c. Profits from government corporations are distributed as dividends. d. You can invest in both a private corporation and a government corporation. e. Government corporations must pay taxes on profits.

a. Government corporations do not usually have any stockholders.

Which of the following agency types correctly classifies the Federal Communications Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission? a. Independent regulatory agencies b. Cabinet departments c. Government corporations d. Independent executive agencies e. Corporations subject to regulation

a. Independent regulatory agencies

Which of the following statements most accurately describes what the Pendleton Act accomplished? a. It established the principle of employment on the basis of open competitive examinations. b. It extended federal civil service protections to the states. c. It reorganized the federal government and exempted a substantial number of government employees from civil service protections. d. It established a merit system during the Civil War. e. It increased the number of government employees selected by the spoils system.

a. It established the principle of employment on the basis of open competitive examinations.

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the Whistleblower Protection Act? a. It prohibits reprisals against whistleblowers by their superiors. b. It established, for the first time, a relatively swift method for firing civil servants. c. It allows whistleblowers to take time off from their jobs if they are concerned with the actions of their supervisors. d. It penalizes federal bureaucrats who participate in political activities. e. It allows the government to prosecute whistleblowers whose accusations have been unfounded.

a. It prohibits reprisals against whistleblowers by their superiors.

Why are bureaucratic agencies often able to decide for themselves how to carry out the wishes of Congress? a. Legislation is often too vague to effectively guide the bureaucracy, and they are enabled to do so by the legislation itself. b. Presidents want to use the bureaucracy to circumvent Congress. c. Legislation is often too vague to effectively guide the bureaucracy. d. They are enabled to do so by the legislation itself. e. Legislation is often too vague to effectively guide the bureaucracy, and presidents want to use the bureaucracy to circumvent Congress.

a. Legislation is often too vague to effectively guide the bureaucracy, and they are enabled to do so by the legislation itself.

What are the parts of government that are directly accountable to the president called? a. Line organizations b. Monopolistic bureaucratic units c. Government corporations d. Weberian bureaucratic units e. Independent regulatory agencies

a. Line organizations

What was the Hatch Act, adopted by Congress in 1939, created to accomplish? a. Prohibit federal employees from active involvement in political campaigns b. Encourage federal employees to run for state but not federal government offices c. Prohibit federal employees from switching political parties d. Increase federal employee participation in running voter registration drives e. Establish a patronage system during the Great Depression

a. Prohibit federal employees from active involvement in political campaigns

Which of the following acts requires the federal government to release, at your request, any information it has about you or other subjects? a. The Freedom of Information Act b. The Government in the Sunshine Act c. The Bureaucratic Freedom Act d. The Bureaucratic Transparency Act e. The Informational Transparency Act

a. The Freedom of Information Act

Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, which of the following has NOT taken place? a. The Freedom of Information Act was abolished. b. The FBI began restricting information about its activities. c. The trend toward open government has reversed. d. The military began restricting information about its activities. e. Federal agencies removed many documents from public view.

a. The Freedom of Information Act was abolished.

Which of the following statements is true about federal spending? a. The U.S. Postal Service has been self-supporting for decades. b. The Social Security Administration accounts for nearly 75 percent of what the government spends. c. The Social Security Administration is funded entirely by the states. d. Spending on social services accounts for the smallest portion of government expenditures. e. The U.S. Postal Service accounts for half of what the government spends.

a. The U.S. Postal Service has been self-supporting for decades.

Which of the following statements correctly differentiates two models of bureaucracy? a. The belief that bureaucracies have no competitors and no reason to make themselves more efficient best describes the monopolistic model of bureaucracy, while the acquisitive model predicts that bureaucrats will try to "sell" their services by appealing to both Congress and public opinion. b. The belief that bureaucracies have no competitors and no reason to make themselves more efficient best describes the Weberian model of bureaucracy, while the acquisitive model predicts that bureaucrats will try to "sell" their services by appealing to both Congress and public opinion.

a. The belief that bureaucracies have no competitors and no reason to make themselves more efficient best describes the monopolistic model of bureaucracy, while the acquisitive model predicts that bureaucrats will try to "sell" their services by appealing to both Congress and public opinion.

Which of the following terms is defined as the awarding of government jobs to political supporters? a. The spoils system b. The merit system c. The Pendleton system d. Political capital e. Nepotism

a. The spoils system

What was the effect of Ronald Reagan's presidency on the federal bureaucracy? a. Under Reagan, the elimination of revenue sharing caused government employment to fall. b. Under Reagan, the expansion of the military caused government employment to rise. c. Under Reagan, the programs enacted because of 9/11 caused government employment to rise. d. Under Reagan, the elimination of the agriculture department caused government employment to fall. e. Under Reagan, the elimination of poverty caused government employment to fall.

a. Under Reagan, the elimination of revenue sharing caused government employment to fall.

Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between types of bureaucratic agencies? a. A government corporation is not part of a cabinet department but still reports directly to the president, while an independent regulatory agency exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area. b. An independent executive agency is not part of a cabinet department but still reports directly to the president, while an independent regulatory agency exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area. c. An independent executive agency is not part of a cabinet department but still reports directly to the president, while a cabinet department exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area.

b. An independent executive agency is not part of a cabinet department but still reports directly to the president, while an independent regulatory agency exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area.

Which of the following are considered to be line organizations because they report directly to the president? a. Government corporations b. Cabinet departments c. Weberian agencies d. Independent regulatory agencies e. Staffs of Congress and the judiciary

b. Cabinet departments

Which of the following groups has been the major beneficiary of the Freedom of Information Act? a. Activist groups b. News organizations c. Whistleblowers d. Members of Congress e. Business lobbies

b. News organizations

Although the president theoretically has considerable control over cabinet departments, why do these departments frequently disappoint the president? a. They are frequently "captured" by industries or interest groups. b. The entire structure under the top political levels is staffed by permanent employees. c. Their structure is optimized for following rules, not presidential directives. d. Their leadership is more concerned with pleasing members of Congress. e. They are more concerned with serving the public rather than responding to the president.

b. The entire structure under the top political levels is staffed by permanent employees.

Which of the following statements accurately describes changes in the number of federal government employees? a. The number of federal employees has grown to exceed the number of local government employees. b. The number of federal employees remained relatively stable for the last several decades. c. The number of federal employees has grown to exceed the number of state government employees. d. The number of federal employees increased significantly for the last several decades. e. The number of federal employees decreased substantially in the last ten years.

b. The number of federal employees remained relatively stable for the last several decades.

What can be inferred from the replacement of iron triangles with issue networks as models to describe policy making? a. Interest groups now dominate the policy-making process. b. The policy-making environment has become more complex. c. Policy making is now conducted primarily on computer networks. d. Policy options have been reduced. e. The number of interested parties has declined.

b. The policy-making environment has become more complex.

Why was negotiated rulemaking formally approved by Congress in 1990? a. To reduce the influence of businesses in rulemaking b. To reduce the costs of litigating government regulations c. To involve the public in the process of rulemaking d. To reduce the workload of regulatory agency employees e. To reduce the influence of special interest groups in rulemaking

b. To reduce the costs of litigating government regulations

When a regulatory agency like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes a newly proposed regulation, it must wait how many days before it can be enforced? a. 20 b. 45 c. 60 d. 10 e. 365

c. 60

Which of the following accurately categorizes the bureaucrats described in the statement? a. A bureaucrat who tries to expand his or her budget is best described by the monopolistic model of bureaucracy, while one who uses logic and reasoning to solve problems within an organized hierarchy is best described by the Weberian model. b. A bureaucrat who tries to expand his or her budget is best described by the Weberian model of bureaucracy, while one who uses logic and reasoning to solve problems within an organized hierarchy is best described by the acquisitive model. c. A bureaucrat who tries to expand his or her budget is best described by the acquisitive model of bureaucracy, while one who uses logic and reasoning to solve problems within an organized hierarchy is best described by the Weberian model.

c. A bureaucrat who tries to expand his or her budget is best described by the acquisitive model of bureaucracy, while one who uses logic and reasoning to solve problems within an organized hierarchy is best described by the Weberian model.

Which of the following statements most accurately compares leaks and whistleblowing? a. A release of classified information that may endanger American soldiers is called a leak. b. A release of information that calls attention to inefficiency or illegal action is called whistleblowing. c. A release of classified information that may endanger American soldiers is called a leak, and a release of information that calls attention to inefficiency or illegal action is called whistleblowing. d. The Obama administration has charged fewer people with leaking government secrets than most previous presidencies. e. A release of classified information that may endanger American soldiers is called whistleblowing.

c. A release of classified information that may endanger American soldiers is called a leak, and a release of information that calls attention to inefficiency or illegal action is called whistleblowing.

Which of the following correctly describes a business created by the federal government itself, which then sells part or all the corporation's stock to private investors? a. Independent regulatory agency b. Independent executive agency c. Government-sponsored enterprise d. Government-sponsored cooperative e. Government corporation

c. Government-sponsored enterprise

Which of the following choices accurately describes the makeup of iron triangles? a. Citizens who have contacted members of Congress, presidential advisors, and members of the federal bureaucracy b. Lobbyists, interest groups, and court cases used to promote government action to help the interest of these groups c. Interest groups, legislators, and members of the bureaucracy working to promote and protect their mutual interests d. Political parties, interest groups, and voters who want their candidates to win e. Economic interests, citizen activists, and government interest groups

c. Interest groups, legislators, and members of the bureaucracy working to promote and protect their mutual interests

Which of the following terms correctly denotes when government services are replaced by services from the private sector? a. Outsourcing b. Capitalization c. Privatization d. Contracting out e. Liquidation

c. Privatization

Which of the following statements is not true about political appointees? a. They are sometimes appointed as a reward for campaign contributions or other political favors. b. Career civil servants sometimes ignore their wishes. c. Their major source of authority is the ease with which they can fire civil servants. d. They will probably occupy their position for a brief time compared to career civil servants. e. They have been called the "aristocracy" of the federal government.

c. Their major source of authority is the ease with which they can fire civil servants.

Which of the following statements is correct with respect to cabinet departments? a. They are created by other departments of the bureaucracy to serve unfulfilled needs. b. They are created by Congress and report directly to Congress. c. They are created by Congress but report directly to the president. d. They are created by the president and report directly to the president. e. They are created by the president but report directly to Congress.

c. They are created by Congress but report directly to the president.

Which part of the federal government employs most of the government's staff? a. Legislative branch b. Judiciary c. Federal courts d. Executive branch e. Internal Revenue Service

d. Executive branch

Which of the following agency types correctly classifies Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the FDIC? a. Independent executive agencies b. Cabinet departments c. Independent regulatory agencies d. Government corporations e. Private corporations

d. Government corporations

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the growth of government employment? a. Government employment grew rapidly until the Civil War. b. Government employment grew rapidly until the 2000 election of George W. Bush. c. Government employment grew rapidly until World War I. d. Government employment grew rapidly until the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan. e. Government employment grew rapidly until the Great Depression.

d. Government employment grew rapidly until the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan.

What can be said regarding the structure of a bureaucracy? a. It fails to designate any reporting structure. b. It is structured horizontally. c. A bureaucracy is void of any structure. d. It is structured hierarchically. e. Its design is general rather than specific.

d. It is structured hierarchically.

What does the acquisitive model of bureaucracy hold? a. Bureaucracies should hold hearings before acting. b. Bureaucracies should apply similar decisions to similar situations. c. Decision-making should be a rational process. d. Leaders of bureaucracies seek expanded budgets and a larger staff. e. Advancement should be based on merit.

d. Leaders of bureaucracies seek expanded budgets and a larger staff.

Which president first implemented the spoils system of bureaucratic appointments? a. President Franklin Roosevelt b. President Richard Nixon c. President John Adams d. President Andrew Jackson e. President Bill Clinton

d. President Andrew Jackson

Which of the following statements most accurately describes a bureaucracy? a. Any large branch of a government that has the power to interpret laws b. A government organization, but not corporate or university organizations c. Any organization that has major problems when attempting to accomplish its goals d. A group of people who work to enforce policies in a way that prevents quick results e. A large organization, structured hierarchically, that carries out specific functions

e. A large organization, structured hierarchically, that carries out specific functions

When an industry that is being regulated gains control over the agency that is supposed to regulate it, the process is called which of the following? a. Cooption b. Complacency c. Collusion d. Pork e. Capture

e. Capture

Which of the following most accurately describes independent executive agencies? a. Responsible for regulating major aspects of the economy b. Staffed entirely by political appointees c. Responsible directly to Congress d. The most recent cabinet departments e. Federal agencies that are not part of cabinet departments but report directly to the president

e. Federal agencies that are not part of cabinet departments but report directly to the president

Which of the following statements regarding congressional control over the bureaucracy is most accurate? a. It does not include the ability to force bureaucrats to testify before Congress. b. It does not have the power to refuse funding to administrative agencies. c. It is rarely exercised. d. It is highly praised by many pundits. e. It can result in congressional hearings.

e. It can result in congressional hearings.

Which of the following statements is not true of bureaucracies? a. Private bureaucracies are usually headed by a single leader. b. Bureaucracies can be found outside of government. c. Public bureaucracies are not organized for purposes of profit. d. Bureaucracies can be found in government. e. Public bureaucracies are fully independent of Congress.

e. Public bureaucracies are fully independent of Congress.

Decades of stability in the number of federal government employees is somewhat misleading due to which of the following? a. The elimination of revenue sharing during the Reagan years b. The lasting effect of Reagan's conservative revolution c. The exclusion of Postal Service and Amtrak employees d. The drawdown in troops throughout the various armed forces e. The growth of state and local governments and the use of consultants

e. The growth of state and local governments and the use of consultants

Which of the following statements correctly defines the concept of privatization? a. The hiring practices of the civil service b. The replacement of federal government services with state or local government services c. Reducing the number of levels in the federal hierarchy d. Federal loan guarantees for small businesses e. The replacement of government services with services provided by private firms

e. The replacement of government services with services provided by private firms

How were the major cabinet departments of the government created? a. By constitutional amendments b. Through congressional legislation and by constitutional amendments c. By executive order d. When the Constitution was initially ratified e. Through congressional legislation

e. Through congressional legislation

Which of the following statements about the Freedom of Information Act is most accurate? a. It requires federal agencies to disclose information on file about an individual to that individual upon his or her request. b. It provides for a statute of limitations on the Government in the Sunshine Act. c. It requires executive agencies to release information to congressional oversight committees. d. It requires government agencies to notify the media if they are exceeding their budget for the fiscal year. e. It was repealed after 9/11.

wrong: c. It requires executive agencies to release information to congressional oversight committees.