ap gov - chapter 8

administrative discretion

the ability of bureaucrats to make choices on the best way to implement congressional or executive intentions

civil service system

the system by which many federal bureaucrats are selected

government corporation

businesses established by Congress to perform functions that private businesses could provide (postal office, etc,)

hatch act

the act to prohibit civil servants from taking activist roles in partisan campaigns.

implementation

the process by which a law or policy is put into operation

independent executive agencies

governmental units that resemble a cabinet department but perform services rather than regulatory functions

independent regulatory commission

an entity created by Congress outside a major executive department that regulates a specific interest or economic activity.

iron triangles

the relationships and patterns of interaction that occur among agencies, interest groups, and congress.

patronage

jobs, grants, or other special favors that are given as rewards to friends and political allies for their support

pendleton act

reform measure that established a merit-based system for hiring federal employees.

16th amendment

authorized congress to enact a national income tax

spoils system

the firing of public-office holders of a defeated political party to replace them with loyalists of the newly elected party