AP GoPo Unit 2c - Bureaucracy

Bureaucrat

A government official

Bureaucracy

Complex structure of offices, tasks, rules, and principles of organization that are employed by all large scale institutions.

Independent Regulatory Commission

A commission with regulatory power; a group of people who make rules.

Independent Executive Agency

The government not accounted for by cabinet departments, independent regulatory agencies, and government corporations. Its administrators are typically appointed by the president.

Government Corporation

Operates like a business and makes money for the government; provides a service; (e.g. post office)

Civil Service

The group of people whose job it is to carry out the work of the government.

Spoils System

The practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

Merit System

A system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability, rather than party loyalty.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Agency that administers civil service laws, rules, and regulations; responsible for the hiring in most agencies.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The office that prepares the president's annual budget proposal, reviews the budget and programs of the executive departments, supplies economic forecasts, and conducts detailed analyses of proposed bills and agency rules.

Hatch Act

The 1939 federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.

Implementation

The process of putting a law into practice through bureaucratic rules or spending.

Administrative Discretion

Authority given by Congress to the Federal bureaucracy stating how much of the law to enforce.

Rule

The precise legal definition of how government will implement a policy.

Federal Register

The official journal of the federal government of the U.S. that contains government agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices; published every weekday.

Uncontrollable Spending

The portion of the federal budget that is spent on previously enacted programs, such as Social Security, that the president and Congress are unwilling to cut.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

Entitlement Program

Programs such as unemployment insurance, disaster relief, or disability payments that provide benefits to all citizens who qualify.

Oversight

The essential function through which legislators determine whether current laws and appropriations are achieving intended results.

Central Clearance

Office of Management and Budget's review of all legislative proposals that executive agencies prepare.

Red Tape

Unnecessary procedures that slow down government function.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

The act that created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.

Client Politics

The situation that arises when a government agency services as well as regulates a distinct group

Privatization

The process of converting government enterprises into privately owned companies that make their own rules.

Deregulation

The lifting of government restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities.

Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states.

Why is the Bureaucracy often described as the unofficial 4th branch of government?

They have a role in the implementation and administration of laws and policies. Though they are not responsible for creating laws in the system of checks and balances, they are responsible for carrying them out.

Describe the evolution of the bureaucracy

It was created as a way to provide necessary services, but as more people became federal employees and the population grew, the demand for more rules and regulations also grew, resulting in the bureaucracy we have today.

Describe the organization of the bureaucracy

It has 4 main types of agencies: Cabinet, Independent Executive Agencies, Regulatory Commissions, and Government Corporations; Cabinet has 15 Departments which all have sub agencies.

What are the three parts of an iron triangle and how do they interact with each other?

Relationship in which the Interest Group offers electoral support to Congress, Congress gives funding and political support to the Bureaucracy, and the Bureaucracy gives low regulations and special favors to the Interest Group.

Compare and contrast the informal and the formal organization of the bureaucracy

Informal organizations place less emphasis on established management hierarchy, giving everyone equal opportunity to make decisions and add to the organization. In a formal organization, though, there are clearly established authority and management hierarchies.

What agency staffs the bureaucracy?

Office of Personnel Management (OPM); they hire the lower levels of the Bureaucracy since the President appoints people in the higher levels.

What are the historical roots of American government bureaucracy?

The Civil War created government jobs and new departments to handle the demands of warfare. Later, the Industrial Revolution encouraged economic growth and more government agencies to regulate the expanding economy.

What is the public perception of the bureaucracy?

Many Americans today have a negative perception of the federal bureaucracy. They consider it a huge, immovable object that hinders progress and intrudes on their lives.

In what ways is the bureaucracy being privatized?

In the bureaucracy small sub committees and groups and agencies are being created to do jobs, so there is a big chain of hierarchy and jobs are being passed down to smaller groups.

Describe the relationship between the bureaucracy and the executive branch

The bureaucracy is a part of the executive branch; bureaucracy is a part of the president cabinet and the president is also able to appoint the heads of agencies.

Describe the relationship between the bureaucracy and the legislative branch

When the President appoints people to be in their cabinet, the legislative branch (Congress specifically) must approve the appointments.

Describe the current reform of the bureaucracy

It has grown; people demand more services from their government, size of nation has grown, issues and problems require more expertise today.

Has the bureaucracy, as a percentage of the population, risen or declined in the past 10 years?

It has risen; as the population of the U.S. grows, so does the size of the bureaucracy.

What is the main duty of the OPM?

To direct human resources and employee management services, administer retirement benefits, manage health insurance and other insurance benefit programs, and oversee merit-based and inclusive hiring into the civil service.

How has the federal bureaucracy changed since the time of the first president?

It has grown; there are more levels to it and more people are a part of it; it holds much more power than it did 200 years ago.

How do the demographics of the bureaucracy compare with those of the US in general?

The majority of both is white. The male and female percentages are essentially the same in both.

How does the political party affiliation of the president affect the size and scope of the Bureaucracy?

If it's democratic the bureaucracy is greater; if republican the bureaucracy is smaller.

Identify the components of an Iron Triangle

Interest group, Congress, Bureaucracy

Explain how Iron Triangles function

Interest group offers electoral support for Congress, Congress gives the bureaucracy political support and funding, the bureaucracy gives low regulations and favors to the Interest group.

Explain how Iron Triangles may be seen as an example of Client Politics

In client politics, the interest group benefits from the public. In an iron triangle, the interest group benefits from the bureaucracy.

Issue Network

Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.

Freedom of Information Act

U.S. legislation guaranteeing citizens access to certain government documents.

Whistleblower Protection Act

A law that protects federal employees from being punished for reporting government/agency misconduct.

Civil Servant

An employee of the bureaucracy.

Discretionary Spending

Federal agency funding; Congress sets funding levels for these each year; This usually accounts for around a third of all funding.

Continuity of Service

A period of uninterrupted employment inclusive of relevant approved paid leave.

Regulations

Restrictions enforced by the Bureaucracy.

Compliance Monitoring

The process that ensures organizations meet the policies and procedures.

Power of the Purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money.

Publication

Informational matter which is published as required by law.

Police Patrol

A method of oversight in which members of Congress monitor the bureaucracy to make sure that laws are implemented correctly.

Fire Alarm Model

A form of congressional oversight where Congress waits for complaints from constituents and societal groups about bureaucracy and holds them accountable.

Government Shutdown

When one or more federal bureaucracies cease nonessential operations due to a lack of appropriated money.

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support.

Secretary of State

Oversees U.S. relations with other countries.

Lobbyist

Person who's purpose is to influence political decisions on behalf of specific organizations and people.

Chief of Staff

The head of the White House staff.

Congressional Oversight

The power of Congress to check the activities of the executive branch of government and hold it to account.

Appropriations

Funding that must be authorized by Congress for any federal spending.