Understanding the Federal Bureaucracy and Political Systems

Federal Bureaucracy

Institution implementing federal policies and regulations.

Cabinet Departments

Largest government organizations with broad missions.

Independent Executive Agencies

Agencies with narrow focus, accountable to cabinet.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Enforce rules and resolve disputes in regulations.

Government Corporation

Service organization that could be private sector.

Quasi-Legislative

Agencies with rule-making and oversight powers.

Quasi-Judicial

Agencies with discretion in policy implementation.

Administrative Discretion

Judgment freedom in implementing policies.

Administrative Adjudication

Legal process for specific case decisions.

Legislative Oversight

Congressional control over bureaucratic agencies.

Executive Oversight

Presidential control over bureaucratic appointments.

Judicial Oversight

Court review of bureaucratic policy decisions.

Spoils System

Jobs awarded based on political loyalty.

Civil Service Act

Competitive exams for civil service jobs.

Merit System

Jobs based on qualifications, not politics.

Hatch Act

Limits political activities of federal employees.

Civil Service Reform Act

Revamped hiring processes and agency oversight.

Senior Executive Service

High-level civil service with specialized roles.

Federal Revenue

Government income from taxes and borrowing.

Personal Income Tax

Progressive tax on individual earnings.

Corporate Income Tax

Tax on profits earned by corporations.

Sixteenth Amendment

Established federal income tax in 1913.

Flat Tax

A single tax rate applied to all income.

Social Insurance Taxes

Taxes funding Social Security and Medicare programs.

National Debt

Total government borrowing, approximately $17.5 trillion.

Debt Ceiling

Limit on how much debt the government can incur.

Mandatory Spending

Two-thirds of budget required by law.

Medicare

Health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older.

Medicaid

Health insurance for low-income and disabled individuals.

CHIP

Children's Health Insurance Program for those under 18.

Tax Expenditures

Tax breaks benefiting wealthy individuals and businesses.

Polling

Method of gauging public opinion on issues.

Sampling Error

Difference between sample results and actual population.

Random Sample

Subset of population chosen randomly for polling.

Bandwagon Effect

Voters support candidates gaining popularity.

Exit Surveys

Polls conducted after voting to assess opinions.

Political Socialization

Process by which individuals form political beliefs.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on past candidate performance.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on expected future candidate performance.

Interest Groups

Organizations advocating for specific political interests.

Pluralism

Theory that multiple groups compete for influence.

Elitism

View that power is concentrated among a few.

Hyperpluralism

Condition where many groups overwhelm government policy.

Iron Triangles

Stable relationships between agencies, interest groups, and committees.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher advocating for absolute sovereign authority.

Leviathan

Hobbes' work on social contract and governance.

Desire for Power

A natural force driving human behavior according to Hobbes.

Fear of Death

A natural force motivating human actions in Hobbes' theory.

John Locke

Philosopher emphasizing natural rights and government consent.

Second Treatise of Government

Locke's work outlining government responsibilities and rights.

Life, Liberty, and Property

Locke's fundamental rights that government must protect.

Majority Will

The principle that government actions must reflect majority consent.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher advocating for popular sovereignty and social contracts.

The Social Contract

Rousseau's work on legitimate government and consent of the governed.

Adam Smith

Economist promoting free markets in 'The Wealth of Nations'.

The Wealth of Nations

Smith's treatise on economic theory and free markets.

Baron de Montesquieu

Philosopher advocating for separation of powers in government.

On the Spirit of Laws

Montesquieu's work on government structure and balance.

Legislative Process

Steps a bill follows to become law in Congress.

Committee Review

Stage where proposed bills are examined and amended.

Rules Committee

Decides amendments and debate schedule for bills.

Majority Vote

Required approval for a bill to advance in Congress.

Conference Committee

Group reconciling differences in bill wording between chambers.

President's Approval

Final step for a bill to become law.

Consent of the Governed

Principle that government derives authority from the people's agreement.

Rebellion Rights

People's right to revolt against unjust government actions.

Presidential Veto

President's rejection of a bill passed by Congress.

Overturning a Veto

Requires ⅔ majority vote in both House and Senate.

Revenue Bills

Legislation concerning taxes, starting in the House.

Status Quo

Existing state of affairs, often resistant to change.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funds allocated for local projects to gain support.

Logrolling

Politicians exchange support for mutual legislative benefits.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts to favor a political party.

Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929

Set House representatives at 435 members permanently.

Reapportionment

Redistributing representatives based on population changes.

Single-Member District System

Each electoral district elects one representative.

Doctrine of Selective Incorporation

Incorporates amendments to apply to states.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Established right to counsel in criminal cases.

Gitlow v. New York

First Amendment applies to states via incorporation.

Majority Vote

More than half of votes cast in favor.

Interest Groups

Organizations advocating for specific policy goals.

Lobbyists

Individuals hired to influence legislators on behalf of groups.

Census

Population count conducted every ten years.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under law.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. foreign policy warning European interference.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Prohibits discriminatory voting practices in the U.S.

Civil Liberties

Fundamental freedoms limiting government power.

Civil Rights

Protections ensuring equal treatment under law.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual freedoms.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court.

Miranda Rights

Rights read to suspects upon arrest.

Federalism

Division of power between federal and state governments.

Block Grants

Federal funds with broad spending guidelines for states.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds with strict spending guidelines for states.

Federal Mandates

Requirements imposed by federal government on states.

Concurrent Powers

Shared powers between federal and state governments.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring no branch dominates government.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to Congress by Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary for governance.