AP Gov (Bureaucracy) Day 4

Bureaucracy: The vast, hierarchical organization of executive branch employees - close to 3 million people ranging from members of the cabinet to accountants at the IRS.

-Interprets administers and enforces laws of Congress.

-Bureaucracy touches you everywhere.

Bureaucracy Hierarchical-

-Executive Office of the President (National Security Council")

-Cabinet Departments (Defense, Education)

-Independent Executive Agencies (NASA)

-Independent Regulatory Agencies (Federal Trade Commission)

Compliance Monitoring: the process through which agencies make sure firms and companies subject to industry regulation are following those standards and provisions (i.e. making sure a company isn’t emitting too much CO2); can be checked by the executive.

Iron Triangle: the strong relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group to create policy

Issue Networks: a policymaking web that includes staff that writes or passes legislation.

Political Patronage: Using the Bureaucracy as a place to reward loyal contributors by appointing them to a high-paying job

Civil System: the belief that those appointed to the bureaucracy should be selected based on merit and experience.

Merit System: Only qualified individuals can head departments/agencies, usually by passing written exams.

Delegated Discretionary Authority: the power of departments and agencies to interpret legislation and create their own rules.

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