AP Gov Executive Branch Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to the Executive Branch of AP Gov.

Administrative Rule Making

The process when an independent commission or agency fills in the details of a vague law by formulating, proposing, and approving rules, regulations, and standards that will be enforced to implement the policy.

Honeymoon Period

The president’s first months in office, a time when Congress, the press, and the public are more inclined than usual to support presidential initiatives.

Administrative Rule Making

The process when an independent commission or agency fills in the details of a vague law by formulating, proposing, and approving rules, regulations, and standards that will be enforced to implement the policy.

Honeymoon Period

The president’s first months in office, a time when Congress, the press, and the public are more inclined than usual to support presidential initiatives.

Agency Point of View

The tendency of bureaucrats to place the interests of their agency ahead of other interests and ahead of the priorities sought by the president or Congress.

Impeachment

The power of the House of Representatives to formally accuse the president (and other high-ranking officials) of a crime.

Appropriation Law

A law that gives bureaucracies and other government entities the legal authority to spend money.

Independent Agencies

Bureaucratic agencies that are similar to cabinet departments but usually have a narrower area of responsibility. Each such agency is headed by a presidential appointee who is not a cabinet member. An example is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Authorization Law

A law that provides the plan of action to address a given societal concern and identifies the executive branch unit that will put the plan into effect.

Independent Regulatory Commission

Bureaucracies outside of the cabinet departments with the authority to develop standards of behavior for specific industries and businesses, to monitor compliance with these standards, and to impose sanctions on those it finds guilty of violating the standards

Budgetary Process

The process through which annual federal spending and revenue determinations are made.

Merit (Civil Service) System

An approach to managing the bureaucracy whereby people are appointed to government positions on the basis of competitive examinations or special qualifications, such as professional training.

Bureaucracy

The collection of all national executive branch organizations.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The office that creates the president’s annual budget.

Bureaucratic Structure

A large organization with features such as division of labor, specialization of job tasks, hiring systems, hierarchy, and standard operating procedures.

Patronage/Spoils System

An approach to managing the bureaucracy where people are appointed to government positions as a reward for political services rendered by partisan loyalty.

Bureaucrats

People employed in a government executive branch unit.

Policy Implementation

The primary function of the bureaucracy; the process of carrying out the authoritative decisions of Congress, the president, and the courts.

Cabinet (Executive) Departments

The major administrative organizations within the federal executive bureaucracy, each headed by a secretary or attorney general, responsible for major federal functions such as defense, agriculture, or justice.

Regulatory Agencies

Administrative units responsible for monitoring and regulating ongoing economic activities. Ex: FCC & EPA.

Clientele Groups

Special interest groups that benefit directly from the activities of a particular bureaucratic agency and strong advocates of the agency.

Senior Executive Service (SES)

Top-level career civil servants who qualify through a competitive process for higher salaries and can be assigned or transferred by presidential order.

Government Corporations

Government bodies similar to private corporations that charge for services but receive federal funding to offset expenses. Ex: U.S Postal Service & Amtrak. Their directors are appointed by the president with Senate approval.

Sunshine Laws

Legislation that opens up government activities and documents to the public.

Statutory Powers

Powers explicitly granted to presidents by congressional action.

Whistleblowing

An internal check on the bureaucracy whereby employees report instances of observed mismanagement.

Sunset Clause

A clause that sets an expiration date for an authorized program or policy unless reauthorized by Congress.