The Federal Bureaucracy

Flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts related to the Federal Bureaucracy as discussed in the lecture.

Bureaucracy

A hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and is characterized by impersonality.

Max Weber

Sociologist who had a classic conception of bureaucracy.

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Establishment aimed at reorganizing and improving government efficiency, proposed during the 2025 Trump administration.

Bureaucratic Myths

Common misconceptions about bureaucracy, such as growth trends and public sentiment toward bureaucrats.

Civil Service

System of hiring and promotion based on merit and nonpartisanship.

Merit Principle

Hiring and promotion based on performance, skills, and talent rather than political connections.

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

Legislation that established the merit-based system of staffing for federal jobs.

Hatch Act (1939)

Law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.

Executive Office of the President

Collection of agencies that carry out the responsibilities of the presidency.

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Agencies responsible for making rules and enforcing regulations in specific sectors of the economy.

Policy Making Stages

Process including agenda setting, policy formation, policy adoption, policy implementation, and policy assessment.

Policy Implementation

Translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an operational program.

Bureaucratic Discretion

Authority of agencies or officials to make decisions within the guidelines set by law.

Iron Triangle

A relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees that work together to influence policy.

General Schedule (GS)

System that allocates pay grades for most federal employees based on experience and performance.

Plum Book

Publication that lists the top federal jobs available for presidential appointment.

Regulation

Government control to enforce rules that modify practices in the private sector.

Command-and-Control Policy

Regulatory strategy where the government specifies how businesses should comply with regulations.

Deregulation

Lifting restrictions on industries, aiming to increase competition and reduce prices.

Senior Executive Service

A group of high-level federal managers with career bureaucratic leadership roles.

Administrative Routine

Standard Operating Procedures that provide uniform guidance within bureaucracies.

Program Design

The structured plan set forth for implementing and achieving policy goals.

Social Security

A government program that provides financial assistance to individuals, particularly retirees.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older.

Bureaucratic Inefficiency

The perception that bureaucracies are ineffective and bogged down by red tape.

Public Interest

The welfare or well-being of the general public.

Professional Civil Servants

Individuals who work in civil service roles, often with long-term employment.

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence political decisions and policymaking.

Public Policy

The principles that guide government action and decision-making.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

A principal federal investigative agency focused on enforcing laws and investigating federal offenses.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Independent agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Agency that protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Agency that prevents anti-competitive business practices and promotes consumer protection.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Agency responsible for regulating the securities markets and protecting investors.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

An independent agency providing postal services in the United States.

Amtrak

National rail operator for passenger trains in the United States.

Policy Assessment

Evaluation of how well a policy is working after implementation.

Congressional Oversight

The review and supervision of federal agencies and programs by Congress.

Bureaucratic Accountability

The obligation of government agencies to report on their activities and be answerable to the public.

Administrative Procedure Act

A law that governs the process by which federal agencies develop and issue regulations.

Constitutional Checks

Mechanisms in the Constitution designed to prevent the abuse of power by government branches.

Department of Justice

Government department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice.

Bureaucratic Efficiency

The effectiveness and productivity of a bureaucracy in achieving its goals.

Fiscal Policy

Government policy regarding taxation and spending to influence the economy.