Executive Branch (Bureaucracy) Vocabulary List

AP U.S. Gov - Unit 2

Administrative Procedures Act

1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on the Bureaucracy. Allows bureaucratic agencies to appeal before adopting new policies

Agency Capture

A term used to describe when an agency seems to operate for  the benefit of those whom it is supposed to regulate. 

Appropriation

The process through which congressional committees allocate funds to executive branch agencies, bureaus, and departments. A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.

Congressional/Legislative Oversight

The means by which Congress monitors the activities of the executive branch and agencies to determine if laws are being faithfully executed legally and in accordance with congressional goals. The most obvious form is hearings on agency budget requests. Oversee implementation of Laws: Active/reactive

Bureaucratic Adjudication

The process in which a bureaucratic agency settles disputes between parties that arise over the implementation of federal laws or determines which individuals or groups are covered under a regulation or program in a manner similar to the way courts resolve disputes.

Bureaucratic Discretion

The power to decide how a law is implemented and, at times, what Congress actually meant when it passed a given law.

Civil Service

The part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These workers are hired on the basis of merit. Workers hired based on merit - implement law

Executive Departments

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas Broad. Each is headed by a secretary that is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Cabinet Departments - Head is also Cabinet member

Federal bureaucracy

The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation.

Government Corporations

Businesses established by Congress to perform functions that private businesses could provide, but either financial incentives for private industry are minimal, or a service is not fully trusted. Provide a service for a fee: 1) Private Business won’t do it (no profit) 2)Not trusted as a financial business

Hatch Act

The 1939 act to prohibit civil servants from taking activist roles in partisan campaigns. This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions, working for a particular party, or campaigning for a particular candidate. Unable to take active roles in civil campaigns

Implementation

The bureaucracy’s role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed. Carry out laws

Independent Executive Agency

Agency otherwise similar to Cabinet departments, but existing outside of the Cabinet Structure and usually having a narrower focus of mission

Independent Regulatory Commission

Organization that exists outside of the major Cabinet departments and whose job it is to monitor and regulate specific sectors of the economy. Make rules that carry force of law - economy 

Iron triangle

A coordinated and mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group to achieve shared policy goals. Bureaucratic agency, congressional committee, interest group (all with a shared policy goal)

Issue Network

A link of policy experts (policy advocates), interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members (policy makers), media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue. Come in and out as expertise is needed

Merit System

A system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics (party loyalty) and/or personal connections. “Apolitical bureaucracy”

Pendleton Act

An act of Congress that created the first United States Civil Service Commission to draw up and enforce rules on hiring, promotion, and tenure of office within the civil service. Also known as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883. Eliminate spoils system - Hiring/firing based on merit

Political Patronage

Filling administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than solely on merit. Spoils system: Jobs in exchange for support

Regulation

The use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector. They are rules made by the bureaucracy that have the force of law to carry out the laws passed by Congress. Quasi-legislative

Rule-Making

The process through which the bureaucracy fills in the critical details of a law resulting in regulations that have characteristics of a legislative act. Quasi-legislative