CLEP Textbook Part 6

amendatory veto

a veto that allows a governor to send a bill back to the legislature with a message requesting a specific amendment.

charter

a document that provides a framework and detailed account of local government responsibilities and areas of authority.

commission system

an elected commission that serves as the governing body within a given county: typically includes officials who are elected to oversee various functions and services of the county government.

council-administrator system

an elected council that appoints an administrator to oversee the operation of the county government.

council-elected executve system

a county government in which voters elect both the members of the council and the executive: council serves as the legislative body while the executive administers the county's operations.

council-manager system

a structure of government in which elected members of the city council appoint a city manager to carry out administrative functions.

delegate legislator

a legislator who represents the will of those who elected him or her to office and acts in their expressed interest, even when it goes against a personal belief about what is ultimately in the constituency’s best interest.

Dillion’s rule

legal principle that local government (cities and counties) have only those powers expressly granted to them by the state legislature, emphasizing that local governments derive their authority from the state.

formal powers

those powers a governor may exercise that are specifically outlined in the state constitution or state law: typically include the authority to sign or veto legislation, appoint state officials, and oversee the implementation of state laws.

home rule

principle that provides local government some degree of independence from the state government, typically detailed in a charter.

line-item veto

a state governor’s ability to strike out a line or individual portions of a bill while letting the remainder pass into law.

mayor-council system

a structure of government in which both city council members and the mayor are elected by voters: the mayor holds significant executive powers, while the council is responsible for legislative functions.

moralistic political culture

a culture that views the government as a means to better society and promote the general welfare: belief in the public's responsibility to engage in politics.

reduction veto

a governor’s authority to reduce the amount budgeted in a piece of legislation.

traditionalistic political culture

a culture that views the government as necessary to maintaining the existing social order or the status quo: emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional values and social hierarchies.

individualistic political culture

a culture that views the government as a mechanism for addressing issues that matter to individual citizens and for pursuing individual goals: emphasizes self-reliance and minimal government intervention in personal matters.

trustee

an officeholder who believes he or she was elected to exercise judgment and to know best by virtue of having the time and expertise to study and understand an issue.

property tax

cities and counties both rely heavily on these tax revenues to find their provision of services: based on the value of real estate and are typically assessed annually: not taxed by the federal government.

the tenth amendment

reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, reinforcing the principle of federalism: emphasizes state sovereignty and limits federal authority: the reserved powers.

citizen legislature

a legislative body made up predominantly of ordinary citizens rather than professional politicians, often serving part-time and balancing their legislative duties with other careers.

municipal governments

local governing bodies that administer cities, towns, or other localities, responsible for providing services and enforcing laws within their jurisdiction.

bureaucracy

an administrative group of nonelected officials charged with carrying out functions connected to a series of policies and programs: typically operates in a hierarchical structure

bureaucrats

the civil servants or political appointees who fill nonelected positions in government and make up the bureaucracy: responsible for implementing policies, managing public programs, and ensuring the smooth operation of government functions.

government corporation

a corporation that fulfills an important public interest and is therefore overseen by the government authorities to a much larger degree than private businesses: operate in commercial activities and provide services, often lacking profit motives, while being owned by the government.

merit system

a system of filling civil service positions by using competitive examinations to value experience and competence over political loyalties.

negotiated rulemaking

a rulemaking process in which neutral advisors convene a committee of those who have vested interests in the proposed rules and help the committee reach a consensus on them.

patronage

the use of government positions to reward individuals for their political support: appointing friends or supporters to government jobs, rather than selecting candidates based on merit.

priviatization

measures that incorporate the market forces of the private sector into the function of the government: can include the transfer of public services or assets to private ownership or contracting out government functions to private companies.

public administration

the implementation of public policy as well as the academic study that prepares civil servants to work in government: managing government operations and resources to deliver services effectively.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

a law that allows the public to access records from any federal agency, promoting transparency in government.

Pendleton Act of 1883

legislation that established a merit-based system for federal employment, reducing patronage and ensuring that government jobs were awarded based on performance and qualifications: created the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978

law that aimed to improve the federal civil service by enhancing the merit principle and providing greater accountability in hiring, promoting, and retaining government employees: created the office of personnel management and merit systems protection board.

Max Weber’s ideal bureaucracy

a theoretical model of governance characterized by hierarchical structure, rules-based administration, and professionalization of civil service, aimed at efficiency and rationality in organizations.

acquisitive model of bureaucracy

a concept where bureaucracies are driven by self-interest and competition for resources, prioritizing their own growth and power over service delivery: they push Congress for more funding each year.

monopolistic model of bureaucracy

a concept in which bureaucracies function without competition, leading to inefficiency and lack of responsiveness to public needs, as they do not face pressure to innovate or improve services.