Unit F: Public Policy

federal bureaucracy

The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation

bureaucrat

An official employed within a government bureaucracy.

political patronage

Filling administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than merit.

Pendleton Act

An act of Congress that created the first United States Civil Service Commission to draw up and enforce rules on hiring, promotion, and tenure of office within the civil service. Also known as Civil Service Reform act of 1883.

federal civil service

The merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments.

merit system

A system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections.

iron triangle

Coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals.

issue network

Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates.

implementation

The bureaucracy's role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed.

bureaucratic discretion

The power to decide how a law is implemented and, at times, what Congress actually meant when it passed a given law. Also known as administrative discretion.

regulation

The process through which the federal bureaucracy makes rules that have the force of law, to carry out the laws passed by Congress.

bureaucratic adjudication

When the federal bureaucracy settles disputes between parties that arise over the implementation of federal laws or determine which individuals or groups are covered under a regulation or program.

task specialization

The process of dividing complex tasks into smaller, more specialized tasks to increase efficiency and productivity.

policy fragmentation

The phenomenon where government policies are developed and implemented by multiple agencies or levels of government, leading to disjointed or conflicting approaches.

mission creep

The gradual expansion or shifting of an organization's goals, often resulting in the organization taking on tasks or responsibilities beyond its original scope.

deregulation

The reduction or elimination of government regulations in a particular industry or sector.

privatization

The process of transferring ownership or control of a government-owned entity to private individuals or organizations.

Congressional oversight

The process by which Congress monitors and supervises the executive branch to ensure that laws are being faithfully executed and that government agencies are operating effectively.

government corporation

A government-owned entity that operates like a private corporation, providing goods or services to the public while being subject to government oversight and regulation.

independent agency

An agency of the federal government that operates independently of the executive departments. It is typically headed by a board or commission and is responsible for specific areas of government operations.

regulatory commission

An independent government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing a specific industry or sector to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

executive agency

A federal agency that is part of the executive branch of government and is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and policies within a specific area of government operations.

Executive Office of the President

The group of agencies and offices that support the work of the President, including the National Security Council, the Council of Economic Advisers, and the Office of Management and Budget.

White House Office

The group of advisors and staff who work directly for the President, providing advice, managing communications, and overseeing the implementation of the President's agenda.

political ideology

A set of beliefs about the desired goals and outcomes of a process of governance.

right

Something guaranteed, that the government cannot take away.

privilege

Something a person may obtain or receive, but that the government can take away.

party ideology

A party's philosophy about the proper role of government and its set of positions on major issues.

party identification

An individual's attachment to a political party.

conservatism

An ideology favoring more control of social beheavior, fewer regulations on businesses, and less government control.

liberalism

An ideology favoring less government control over social behavior and more refgulation of businesses and of the economy.

libertarianism

An ideology favoring very little government regulation and intervention beyond protecting private property and individual liberty.

laissez-faire economy

Economic policy in which governments intrude as little as possible in the economic transactions between citizens and businesses.

command-and-control economy

Economic policy in which government dictates much of a nation's economic activity, including the amount of production and price for goods.

mixed economy

Economic system that accepts both private businesses and nationalized government services, like public utilities, safety, military, welfare, and education.

gross domestic product (GDP)

The total value of goods and services produced by an economy.

economic recession

A period of decline in economic activity, typically defined by two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

unemployment rate

The percentage of people actively looking for work who cannot find jobs.

inflation

The rise in the prices of goods and services.

consumer price index (CPI)

The cost of a fixed basket of goods and services over time, used to measure the cost of living.

fiscal policy

Government use of taxing and spending to attempt to lower unemployment, support economic growth, and stabilize the economy.

Federal Reserve System

A board of governors, Federal Reserve Banks, and member banks responsible for monetary policy.

monetary policy

A set of economic policy tools designed to regulate the amount of money in the economy.

Medicare

A federal program that provides health insurance to seniors and the disabled.

Medicaid

A federal program that provides health care for the poor.

Office of Management & Budget

An agency of the federal government that assists the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and in supervising its administration in executive branch agencies.

Keynesian economic theory

A macroeconomic theory that advocates for government intervention in the economy to achieve full employment and stable prices. It emphasizes the importance of aggregate demand in determining economic output.

Supply Side economic theory

An economic theory that argues economic growth can be most effectively created by lowering taxes and decreasing regulation, which would incentivize producers to increase the supply of goods and services.