Government chapter 15

Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy

A complex system of organization based on certain principles

Bureaucrat

Person working for the organization who has certain defined duties and responsibilities

Executive branch

• president

• Executive office of the president

• Executive departments

  • Independent agencies

Executive office of the president

Nerve center of the White House office

What is the executive office of the president made up of

Named offices and councils that assist the president in running the country

What is the main purpose of the executive office of the president

Helping the president carry out their duties as chief executive

Examples of executive offices of the president

Council of economic advisors, national security council

Council of economic advisors

Who the president would consult with if the country is sliding into an economic recession

National security council

Advises the president on all domestic, foreign, and military aspects of the nations security

White House offices

Federal employees who work most directly with the president, advise the president on foreign, domestic, and defense matters

Presidents cabinet

Members need senate approval after being appointed, members are typically of the presidents party, role in decision making is decided on the president

Department

In executive branch, title is reserved for agencies of cabinet rank

Examples of departments

Dep. of state, dep. of defense, dep. of treasury

Department of treasury

One of the original executive departments set up by congress in 1789

Name game

Phrase that means that titles of the government units are not standardized

Administrative units in government are _____ called ___

Inconsistently; Agencies, administrations, commissions, etc

Independent agencies

Some are quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial, have certain powers from congress to make laws and rule on conflicts

Example of independent agency

NASA

Line of agencies

Directly responsible for administering programs

Spoils system

The practice of giving offices and other favors government to political supporters and friends

Civil service system

Created party to ensure that federal government employees are promoted based on merit

Why was the civil service system created

President Garfield’s assassination by an angry office seeker

Main goal of civil service today

Recruit and keep the best available people in the federal workforce (rather than those favored by politicians)