AP Gov 2.12-1.15 - The Bureaucracy

bureaucracy

system of government in whcih power is divided among departments and officials

responsibilities of the bureaucracy

Implementing laws passed by Congress; issuing rules and regulations; informing public about programs and services; implementing the president's policy initiatives

how bureaucrats are chosen for office

merit system that hires individuals based on skills and experience, rather than political patronage (compare to spoils system)

structure of the defense department

Secretary of defense, joint chiefs of staff (civilian)

how military is subject to civilian control

bureaucracy; joint chiefs of staff are civilians

Joint Chiefs of Staff

The commanding officers of the armed services who advise the president on military policy.

primary role of federal bureacracy

policy implementation: discretionary authority to determine process for turning policy into reality

department of state

Plans and carries out the nation's foreign policy

department of the treasury

Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money

department of justice

responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice

department of the interior

Manages and protects the nations public lands and natural resources

department of agriculture

Assists farmers and consumers of farm products

department of commerce

Supervises trade and promotes U.S. businesses

department of labor

Deals with working conditions, wages of U.S. workers

department of health and human services

Gives services for Americans' health and basic needs

department of housing and urban development

Deals with the special needs and problems of cities

department of transportation

Manages the nations highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic

department of energy

Directs overall energy plan for the nation

department of education

Provides advice and funding for schools

department of veterans affairs

Directs services for armed forces veterans

department of homeland security

US federal agency created in 2002 to coordinate national efforts against terrorism

leader of each department

secretary

Senior Executive Service

the very top level of the bureaucracy, under the secretary and undersecretary

government corporations

a cross between private business corporation and a government agency

government entities that are not part of the 15 cabinet departments

independent and regulatory agencies

independent agencies

agencies in the executive branch of the federal government formed by Congress to help enforce laws and regulations not covered by the executive departments

regulatory agencies' oversight

limited oversight, independence to act as watchdogs over federal government

quasi-legislative agencies

independent agencies responsible for filling in jurisdiction gaps and writing rules

quasi-judicial agencies

Independent agencies responsible for rule enforcement and punishing violators

Food and Drug Administration

regulatory agency responsible for ensuring health of Americans by inspecting food and drugs

Federal Trade Commission

regulatory agency responsible for preventing fraud in the marketplace by preventing price fixing and deceptive advertising

OSHA

regulatory agency responsible for the safety of workers

EPA

an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment

Equal Employment Opportunities Commission

Enforces laws to prevent unfair treatment on the job due to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or age.

who runs regulatory agencies

run by a panel of administrators called Boards of Commissioners. they are appointed by the president with the consent of Congress

who controls the bureaucracy

President and Congress

how President controls bureaucracy

appoints heads, can reduce budget, reorganize the agency

how Congress control bureaucracy

Senate can reject appointments, Congress can abolish an agency or change its jurisdiction, final say over where money goes to

iron triangles

A mutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees.

alliance/issue network

an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a single issue in government policy.

civil service system

the practice of hiring government workers on the basis of open, competitive examinations and merit

patronage system

handing out government jobs in exchange for political support

Hatch Act 1939

Limits political activities of civil service employees

iron triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

see

state department

the

treasury department

dog

defense department

jump

justice department

in

department of interior

a

department of agriculture

circle

department of commerce

leave

department of labor

her

department of Housing and Urban Development

home

department of Homeland Security

to

department of transportation

entertain

department of energy

educated

department of education

healthy

department of health and human services

veterans

veteran's affairs

commissions

an official certification granting a commanding rank in the armed forces

agencies

subdivisions of executive departments

memory sentence for departments in cabinet

see the dog jump in a circle leave her home to entertain educated healthy veterans

delegated discretional authority

power given to the bureaucracy by Congress that gives them the discretion on how to make rules and carry out law

compliance monitoring

power given to the bureaucracy to establish rules for certain industries and then hold those industries accountable for complying with those rules.