American Gov - Chapter 6 The Bureaucracy

What is a bureaucracy?

A complex structure of offices, tasks, and rules where employees have specific responsibilities and work within a hierarchy of authority.

What is a bureaucrat?

A career government employee.

Why is the bureaucracy sometimes called the "fourth branch of government"?

Because it wields significant influence and operates with some independence from the other three branches.

What system governed early federal service (1789-1829)?

The patronage system, where jobs were given based on connections and loyalty.

What is the spoils system?

The practice of giving government jobs to political supporters and friends.

Which president expanded the spoils system?

Andrew Jackson.

What event led to major civil service reform?

The assassination of President James Garfield by Charles Guiteau.

What law replaced the patronage system with a merit-based system?

The Pendleton Act (1883), also called the Civil Service Reform Act.

What is the civil service system?

A system in which government employees are hired and promoted based on merit rather than political connections.

What is the General Schedule (GS)?

A classification system for federal employees, ranging from GS1 to GS18.

What is the Senior Executive Service (SES)?

A group of top-level career officials who help run federal agencies.

What does the Hatch Act do?

Limits political activities of federal employees to prevent conflicts of interest.

Can top appointees in the bureaucracy be political?

Yes, but they are not usually approved by Congress.

Which movements helped expand the bureaucracy?

The Progressive Era, the New Deal, and the Great Society.

Name two Progressive Era laws that increased federal regulation.

The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and the Meat Inspection Act (1914).

What is the "regulatory state"?

A government that heavily regulates economic and social life through bureaucratic agencies.

What does "devolution" (1994) refer to?

The transfer of some federal powers back to the states.

What are some main functions of bureaucrats?

Regulation, procurement, providing services, research and development, and management.

What is a "street-level bureaucrat"?

Public service workers who directly interact with citizens (e.g., police officers, social workers).

What are "Standard Operating Procedures" (SOPs)?

Established rules that ensure consistency in government operations.

What is "red tape"?

Excessive bureaucratic rules and procedures that slow down processes.

What are the main types of federal organizations?

Departments, Independent Executive Agencies, Government Corporations, Quasi-Governmental Agencies, Independent Regulatory Commissions, and Foundations.

Give an example of a government corporation.

The U.S. Postal Service or Amtrak.

Give an example of an independent executive agency.

NASA.

What are Independent Regulatory Commissions?

Agencies that make and enforce rules in specific areas (e.g., FCC, SEC).

How does Congress control the bureaucracy?

Through oversight, funding (power of the purse), reports, the GAO, and inspectors general.

What is the difference between "police patrol" and "fire alarm" oversight?

Police patrol = active monitoring; fire alarm = respond to complaints or problems after they occur.

How does the President control the bureaucracy?

Through appointments, reorganization (with Congress), budgeting, and developing the SES.

How does the judiciary control the bureaucracy?

Through lawsuits and court decisions that limit or shape agency actions.