U.S Government. - Bureaucracy

AP United States Government and Politics

Red Tape

Oppressively complex rules and regulations that slow the speed at which the bureaucracy functions.

Independent Regulatory Commissions / Agencies

Agencies that create regulations for a specific sector of the economy.

Bureaucratic Discretion

A bureaucrats ability to implement policy in a way he or she deems most efficient.

Merit System

A system of hiring and promotion based on qualifications, skills, and merit.

Iron Triangles / Sub- Governments

Cooperation between government agencies, congressional committees and special interests to implement bureaucratic policy.

Wonks

A slang term for a bureaucrat who specializes in an extremely narrow area of policy.

The Peter Principle

The common criticism that bureaucrats tent to rise the level of their own incompetence.

Hatch Act of 1939

The law that prohibits bureaucrats from engaging in overtly public political activity.

gao.gov

The congressional organization that reviews and reports on bureaucratic efficiency and effectiveness.

performance.gov

Website that serves as a “report card” for bureaucratic agencies.

District Courts

The lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin.

Appellate Courts

Courts that hear appeals from lower courts, reviewing legal decisions for errors.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, with the power to interpret the Constitution and overturn laws.

Writ of Certiorari

A formal request by the Supreme Court to a lower court for the record of a case.

Writ of Mandamus

A court order directing a government official to perform a duty.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of following precedent in judicial decision-making.

Rule of Four

Four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case before it can be scheduled for oral argument.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Amicus Curiae Brief

"Friend of the court" brief filed by an interested party to influence a court's decision.

Majority Opinion

The official opinion of the court, representing the views of the majority of justices.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority decision.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who agrees with the majority decision but for different reasons.

Chief Justice

The presiding justice of the Supreme Court

Senatorial Courtesy (Blue Slipping)

A long-standing tradition in which the president consults with senators from the relevant state before nominating a federal judge.

Patronage System

A system of awarding government jobs based on political loyalty and support.

Government Corporation

A government agency that operates like a business, providing a service and charging for it.

Independent Executive Agency

An executive branch agency that is not part of a cabinet department.

Cabinet Department

One of the 15 executive departments of the U.S. government, headed by a secretary who serves in the president's cabinet.

Regulation

A rule or directive issued by a government agency that has the force of law.

Duplication

The unnecessary overlap of functions or services among government agencies.

Pendleton Act

Legislation that created the Civil Service Commission, establishing the merit system for federal employment.

Issue Network

A broader and more fluid group of actors involved in a policy area, including interest groups, researchers, and media.