AP Government & Politics (UNIT 7)

Everything you need to know about the Bureaucracy (according to Kwood AP GOV)

Executive Agency

Organizations smaller than executive departments that are apart of the executive branch of the United States Government and may or may not be a part of an executive department

Independent Executive Agencies

Acts just like a government department, but reports directly to the president because of its independency

Independent Regulatory Commission

Goal is to pass regulations and rules you have to follow (Reports Directly to Congress and operate independently from the Exec. Branch)

Federal Bureaucrats

(Does not report to the president) Only serves in one agency during their careers and stay with the government their whole lives

Pendleton Act of 1883

Changed the hiring process from patronage to a merit-based appointment system

Fiscal Policy

Managing the economy through the power over taxing and spending policy

Keynisan/Supply-Side Economics

Government controlled economics/Private Businesses control their finances

Monetary Policy

The process by which the central bank manages the money supply and interest rates to influence economic activity.

Federal Bonds

Loans to the federal government, after some years you can cash in your bond for the principal amount plus interest (SLOWS DOWN INFLATION)

Delegation of Authority

The process in which Congress gives a specific department/agency the power enforce their law or carry out the program’s intent with rules (Congress providing bureaucrats the laws they then interpret)

Discretionary Authority

The extent to which the bureaucracy can make policies and rules that aren’t specifically defined/limited by laws. 

Rule-making Power

An agency’s ability to make rules that affect how programs operate, and to force states, corporations, and individuals to obey these rules as if they were laws

Legislative Intent

A check on the bureaucracy (from Congress) that requires all actions/rules made by agencies to fall within the intent of the law itself

Chevron Doctrine

If a law is unclear, the courts must immediately defer to federal courts

Congressional Oversight

Congress has the power to review the power of the executive branch to make sure they’re correctly implementing laws

Iron Triangle

A three sided, mutual relationship where all three benefit, between Members of Congress, Bureaucrats, and Interest Groups

Issue Network

A different group of “actors”/alliance among loosely connected participants that come together to promote a common cause and change legislation

Government by Proxy

Where the government reaches out to third-party groups (the bureaucracy) to create rules and interpretations, naming this 3rd party as an extension of itself

Competitive Service

The process in which federal officials are only appointed after they pass a written exam from the OPM/meet a specific training criteria

Expected Service

Employees hired outside of competitive service

Legislative Veto

A procedure that allows Congress to nullify an executive action or by a simple majority vote

Congressional Investigations

Where Congress investigates the interpretation of their law through an agency/bureau

The Subpoena Power

The authority given to Congress to compel the testimony of witnesses and the production of investigation documents