Bureaucracy (Chapter 12)

Why do Civil Service requirements exist?

To separate politics from privacy

A system in which bureaucrats are hired based on merit rather than on political connections.

Federal Civil Service

What do the Office of Management and Budget do?

Prepares the president's annual budget proposal to Congress.

A situation in which legislators monitor a bureaucratic organization only after someone complains or a problem of implementation has been brought to their attention

Fire Alarm Oversight

A government agency where political appointees are placed not necessarily because of their expertise but due to their loyalty to the president or political connections. These agencies often serve as a place to reward supporters rather than prfioritize efficiency or competence.

Turkey Farm

Occurs when an individual or a group acts on behalf of another.

Principal Agent Game

Where do bureaucrats get their authority to create regulations?

Congress

Handles programs, such as Social Security and enforces public policy, but has no say over things like food safety.

Bureaucracy

Congressional efforts to ensure the laws passed are being implemented as intended

Oversight

Operate separately from executive departments and have more independence from direct presidential control. (Not tied to the president)

Independent Agencies

What do State Capacity require?

A bureaucracy of experts

Vast network of agencies in the executive branch

The Bureaucracy

What attracts many to join the civil service?

Job Security

Restricts federal employees from engaging in certain political activities to ensure a nonpartisan civil service. (Places limits on the political activity of bureaucrats)

Hatch Act (1939)

Unlike the executive departments, most independent agencies….

Have a narrow range of activity

What causes bureaucratic drift?

Political appointments

When did the Progressive Era occur?

In the late 19th and early 20th century.

Why does the president have limited control over the Federal Reserve when compared with the control that executive departments, such as the Department of Transportation, have over the Federal Reserve?

Because reserves appointees serve for 14 years, which is longer than the president serves.

What is true about the employment of civil servants?

Cannot be fired after 3 years of satisfactory performance, except for cause.

What do the 15 executive departments make up?

The President’s Cabinet