Government Chapter 15

(A) What the the three basic types of independent agencies? (B) Describe the basic role of each type of agency?

(A) Independent executive agencies, independent regulatory commissions, and government corporations. (B) Executive agencies perform a variety of functions; regulatory commissions regulate aspects of the economy

(A) What are the duties of the National Security Council? (B) What are the duties of the Office of National Drug Control Policy?

(A) To advise the President on all domestic, foreign, and military matters that relate to the nation's security. (B) To prepare an annual national drug control strategy and to coordinate the efforts of federal drug agencies.

(A) What was the spoils system? (B) How did the spoils system affect the quality of the public work force?

(A) the practice of giving government jobs to political backers (B) major contributor to president most likely get the job

In what ways is a bureaucracy undemocratic?

Bureaucrats are unelected public-policy makers.

In what sense are the executive departments the traditional units of federal administration?

Each cover a broad field of activity that is vital to the functioning of a nation.

What the major differences between a government corporation and a private corporation?

Government corporations' purposes are set by Congress; their officers are public officers; and they are publicly funded.

How was the Cabinet born?

It began in Washington's presidency when he began regularly seeking the advice of the heads of the four executive departments.

Describe the organization of the Executive Office of the President?

It is an umbrella agency that includes several separate agencies staffed by the President's advisors and assistants.

What agencies work most directly with the President, providing assistance and advice?

The Executive Office of the President, The White House Office, The National Security Council, The Office of Management and Budget, The Office of National Drug Control Policy, and The Council of Economic Advisors.

How did the different components of the bureaucracy in the Federal Government's executive branch develop?

The constitution makes the President the chief administrator and suggests having departments. But the Framer's intended that agencies would also be created to carry out the function of government.

What is the "name game" in the context of the federal bureaucracy?

The title "department" is reserved for Cabinet rank agencies. Beyond that, there is little standardized use of titles (agency, administration, commission, corporation, and authority).

Explain the major reasons why the independent agencies exist apart from the Cabinet-level departments?

Their functions do not fit well into any of the existing departments; They need to protect their officials from political pressures; To make them more responsive to interest-group pressures; and Because of the peculiar and sensitive nature of their functions.

What responsibilities do members of the Cabinet have that are not among the duties of the major figures in the Executive Office of the President?

They must serve as department heads.

What was the primary objective of the efforts to reform the country's civil service in the late 1800's?

To make merit the basis for hiring, and to lessen partisan control.

Describe the standards for staffing the federal bureaucracy held by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson?

Washington held the standard of "fitness for office", he did favor members of his own party