govt chap 11 wtpp

Bureaucracy

Structured organization of offices and rules for coordinating personnel.

Implementation

The process of enforcing laws and policies.

Principal-Agent Problem

Challenges in ensuring bureaucrats act in line with elected officials’ goals.

Executive Departments

Major administrative units under the president’s Cabinet.

Independent Regulatory Commission

Agencies regulating specific industries (e.g., FCC).

Government Corporation

Agencies providing services like businesses (e.g., USPS).

Merit System

Hiring based on qualifications to prevent political interference.

Political Appointees

Top bureaucrats appointed by the president.

Senior Executive Service (SES)

High-level career civil servants and appointees bridging the political and professional bureaucracy.

Privatization

Contracting private companies to provide government services.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Presidential office managing budgets and policy implementation.

Oversight

Monitoring bureaucratic behavior.

Police Patrol Oversight

Systematic, proactive oversight.

Fire Alarm Oversight

Reactive oversight triggered by complaints or scandals.

Inspectors General (IGs)

Independent watchdogs within federal agencies.

Whistleblowers

Individuals exposing bureaucratic misconduct.

Regulatory Capture

Agencies prioritizing the interests of industries they regulate over the public.