Chapter 10: Bureaucracy

Affirmative Action

A set of policies designed to help organizations recruit and promote employees who are members of disadvantaged groups.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Bureaucrats

Employees of public agencies

Collective Bargaining

A process in which representatives of labor and management meet to negotiate pay and benefits, job responsibilities, and working conditions.

Contracting Out

Government hiring of private or nonprofit organizations to deliver public goods or services.

Merit System

A system used in public agencies in which employment and promotions are based on qualifications and demonstrated ability; such a system blends very well with the organizational characteristics of bureaucracy

Neutral Competence

The idea that public agencies should be the impartial implementers of democratic decisions.

Patronage

The process of giving government jobs to partisan loyalists.

Policy Implementation

The process of translating the express wishes of government into action

Professionalization

The rewarding of jobs in a bureaucratic agency based on applicants' specific qualifications and merit.

Representative Bureaucracy

The idea that public agencies that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve will be more effective.

Rulemaking

The process of translating laws into written instructions on what public agencies will or will not do.

Spoils System

A system under which an electoral winner has the right to decide who works for public agencies.

Street-Level Bureaucrat

A lower-level public agency employee who actually takes the actions outlined in law or policy