Bureaucracy and the Judiciary

These flashcards cover key concepts related to bureaucracy and the judiciary from the lecture notes.

Bureaucracy

An organization characterized by division of labor, job specialization, hiring based on competency, a vertical chain of command, and standard operating procedures.

Civil Servants

Employees of the government hired through a merit-based system that ensures political neutrality and job protection.

Shadow Bureaucrats

Employees on the payroll of private businesses that provide services to the government through contracts.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws and government actions, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear new cases, as opposed to reviewing decisions made by other courts.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made previously by other courts.

The Iron Triangle

The relationship among bureaucrats, Congress, and interest groups, characterized by mutual influence and support.

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy advocating that courts should interpret laws and the Constitution to address societal needs, sometimes overriding existing precedents.

Judicial Restraint

A judicial philosophy urging judges to limit their own power and avoid declaring laws unconstitutional unless they are evidently so.

Checks on the Supreme Court

Mechanisms by which the legislative and executive branches ensure the Supreme Court does not overstep its authority, including the power to create and limit courts.