The Federal Bureaucracy
Which of these statements about the bureaucracy is most accurate?
Americans dislike bureaucracies.
How do command and control policies differ from incentive systems?
Command and control policies typically focus on punishing those who violate the law, whereas incentive systems often include rewards
Which of the following grants bureaucracies the authority to issue regulations?
Congress
How do departments differ from independent agencies?
Department heads are part of the presidential Cabinet while agency heads are not
Why do its proponents argue that deregulation is a good public policy?
Eliminating costly regulations makes the U.S. more competitive in the world marketplace
How do government corporations differ from private companies?
Government corporations perform activities that private companies cannot
What trend has privatization and outsourcing gone through in recent years?
It has increased at the federal level
Which of the following best describes the policies related to firing federal civil servants?
It is often difficult and time consuming to fire a civil servant
Which of the following is a means of enforcing a bureaucratic regulation?
Sending inspectros to evaluate compliance
Which of the following was a consequence of the spoils system?
The federal bureaucracy was staffed with people who lacked expertise
Which of the following statements best describes the president's influence over agency budgets?
The president influences the initial budget proposal, but depends on Congress for appropriations of federal money
What uses marketlike strategies such as rewards to manage public policy?
an incentive system
How were government jobs awarded before 1883?
based on applicants' loyalty to the party in power
How are cabinet secretaries similar to independent agency administrators?
both are appointed by the president
How are independent regulatory commissions similar to independent executive agencies?
both operate outside of executive department control
Who are the three main players in an iron triangle?
bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees
How does Congress exercise control over agencies and departments in the federal bureaucracy?
by issuing executive orders
How does the president exercise control over agencies and departments in the federal bureaucracy?
by nominating federal appointees
What is the largest organizational unit in the federal bureaucracy?
department
Those who believe that regulations on business and industry are too numerous and too complex are likely to favor the policy of _____________.
deregulation
What term refers to the authorit of administrators in the federal bureaucracy to make choices concering the best way to implement policies?
discretion
What was implementation of the Voting Rights act of 1965 aided by?
federal registrars dispatched to southern counties
Which of Max Weber's characteristics of bureaucracy is illustrated by a government agency in which the greatest authority resides with the agency head?
hierarchial authority/structure
Which of the following would be an example of Weber's merit principle?
hiring bureaucrats based on their ability to do the job
Which of the following is a function of departments and agencies within the federal bureaucracy?
implementing public policies
How did the Pendleton Act reform the system of hiring and firing federal employees?
it required hiring and firing decisions to be based on merit rather than partisan loyalty
What is the main purpose served by government corporations?
providing services not fully trusted to the private sector
What is a goal common to both the Pendleton Act and the Hatch Act?
reducing the influence of partisan politics on the federal bureaucracy
What role is the Environmental Protection Agency taking when it sets limits on air pollution from power plants?
regulation
What are rules created by government agencies that determine how laws are implemented?
regulations
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in what activity?
running for elected office
What is usually the firs step in obtaining a civil service job?
taking a test
Which of the following did Max Weber identify as a characteristic of bureaucracy?
task specialization
Which of the following is an example of a bureaucratic organization?
the Department of Defense
Which Cabinet department did Congress create shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks?
the Department of Homeland Security
Which of the following agencies is most removed from presidential and congressional control?
the Federal Reserve System
Which is an example of an independent executive agency?
the GSA (General Services Administration)
After which law was the civil service system introduced?
the Pendleton Act
Congress and the president share which of the following powers over agencies and departments in the bureaucracy?
the power to influence budgets
Cabinet secretaries are appointed by ______ and confirmed by ________.
the president; the Senate
What is implementation?
the process by which a law or policy is put into practice
How do standard operating procuedures influence bureaucratic decision making?
they promote uniform application of rules
Who was awarded jobs in the bureaucracy under the spoils system?
those who helped candidates win an election
Which of the following is a primary goal of privatization or outsourcing?
to improve the efficiency of public service delivery
What was the purpose of the Hatch Act?
to prohibit federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity
Under which circumstance are bureaucrats most likely to exercise discretion?
when an agency is implementing a law that contains ambiguity
