Chp. 12

Impersonality

Treatment of all persons within a bureaucracy on the basis of "merit" and of all "clients" served by the bureaucracy equally according to rules.

Continuing Resolution

Congressional bill that authorizes government agencies to keep spending money for a specified period at the same level as in the previous fiscal year; passed when Congress is unable to enact final appropriations measures by October 1.

Appropriations Act

Congressional bill that provides money for programs authorized by Congress.

Adjudication

Decision making by the federal bureaucracy as to whether an individual, or organization has complied with or violated government laws and/or regulations.

Bureaucracy

Departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices that perform the functions of government.

Reputation

Development by the federal bureaucracy of formal rules for implementing legislation.

Implementation

Development by the federal bureaucracy of procedures and activities to carry out policies legislated bu Congress; includes regulation as well as adjudication.

Division of Labor

Division of work among many specialized workers in a bureaucracy.

Fiscal Year

Early government accounting period, not necessarily the same as the calendar year. The federal government's fiscal year begins October 1st and ends September 30th.

Whistle-blowers

Employees who expose waste, fraud, or mismanagement in government or government contracting.

Obligation Authority

Feature of some appropriations acts by which an agency is empowered to enter into contracts that will require the government to make payments beyond the fiscal year in question.

Outsourcing

Government contracting with private firms to perform public services.

Chain of Command

Hierarchical structure of authority in which command flows downward; typical of a bureaucracy.

Program Budgeting

Identifying items in a budget according to the functions and programs they are to be spent on.

Zero-based Budgeting

Method of budgeting that demands justification for the entire budget request of an agency, not just its requested increase in funding.

Incremental Budgeting

Method of budgeting that focuses on requested increases in funding for existing programs, accepting as legitimate their previous year's expenditures.

Budget Resolution

Congressional bill setting fourth target budget figures for appropriations to various government departments and agencies.

Authorization

Act of Congress that establishes a government program and defines the amount of money it may spend.

Outlays

Actual dollar amounts to be spent by the federal government in a fiscal year.

Discretionary Funds

Budgeted funds not earmarked for specific purposes but available to be spent in accordance with the best judgement of a bureaucrat.

Budget Maximization

Bureaucrats' tendencies to expand their agencies budgets, staff, and authority.

Merit System

Selection of employees for government agencies on the basis of competence, with no consideration of an individuals political stance and/or power.

Spoils System

Selection of employees for government agencies on the basis of party loyalty, electoral support, and political influence.

Casework

Services performed by legislators and their staffs on behalf of individual constituents.