AP GOV Chapter 14 - The Federal Bureaucracy

Patronage

The power of a government official to make appointments and offer favors like jobs in exchange for political support.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

An 1883 act that created federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit

Civil Service

Hiring and promoting based on merit

Merit Principle

Hiring should be based on entrance exams and promotion ratings to produce administrations by people with talent and skill

Hatch Act

Prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics while on duty

Office of Personal Management

In charge of hiring for most agencies of federal government, using elaborate rules in the process

General Schedule Rating

A schedule for federal employees, ranging from GS 1 to GS 18, by which salaries can be keyed to rating and experience

Senior Executive Service

A elite cadre of about 9,000 federal government managers at the top of the civil service system

Government Corporation

A business corporation that provides a service that can be delivered by the private sector (Ex: the US Postal Service)

Independent Executive Agency

Government agencies not accounted for by cabinet departments (Ex: NASA)

Policy Implementation

The power of a government official to make appointments and offer favors in exchange for political support.

Standard Operating Procedures

Step-by-step instructions that makes sure everyone does their job in the same way

Administrative Discretion

Power of people in administrative roles to choose from different ways of handling a problem

Street Level Bureaucrats

People who work directly with the public

Command and Control Policy

Government tells business how to reach certain goals, check that these commands are followed, and punishes offenders

Incentive System

Alternative to command and control with market like strategies such as rewards used to manage public policy

Deregulation

Lifting of government restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities

Executive Order

Regulations originating with the executive branch (a method for presidents to control the bureaucracy)

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between a government agency, a Congressional committee, and an interest group (work together to make and carry out policy that benefits all three)