AP U.S. Government & Politics – The Bureaucracy

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Political Science - Public Policy

georgepetenjk Created by 10 mon ago

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the departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the law of the nation

the world's leading medical research center and the focal point for medical research in the United States a division of the USDHHS that conducts research and provides information toward improving public health through 27 different agencies

an official employed within a government bureaucracy

filling of administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than merit

an act of Congreess that created the first Unites States Civil Service Commission to draw up and enforce rules on hiring, promotion, and tenure of office within the civil service (also known as Civil Service Reform Act of 1883)

the merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments

a system of hiring and promotion based on competitve testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections significance: Right when the act passed, only a small percentage of federal bureucrats were covered by the Pendleton Act; by 2020 more than 90% were.

coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals

the webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates example: beginning in the 1960s, the iron triangle that included the tobacco industry was disrupted by the addition of public-health groups opposed to smoking

A set of issues and problems that policy makers consider important. The mass media play an important role in influencing the issues which receive public attention.

the bureaucracy's role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed

the power to decide how a law is implemented and to decide what Congress meant when it passed a law

the process through which the federal bureaucracy makes rules that have the force of law, to carry out the laws passed by Congress

Independent agencies created by Congress, designed to regulate important aspects of the nation's economy, largely beyond the reach of presidential control. A government agency responsible for some sector of the economy, making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest. It also judges disputes over these rules. ex: FRB (Federal Reserve Bank), NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), FCC (Federal Communications Commission), FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).

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.

when the federal bureaucracy 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

helps Congress perfom its oversight functions by reviewing activities of exectuive branch to see if it's following congressional intent of laws and efficiency and effectiveness of policy implementation. also sets government standards for accounting, provides legal opinions, and settles claims against gov. A federal legislative agency that audits (investigates) other agencies of the federal government and reports it's findings to Congress (makes sure they are not spending more money than the government has appropriated for them).

The United States Congress has the authority to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the actions by the executive branch. ex: While the GAO conducted its investigations into Hurricane Katrina, Congress conducted its own hearings into the federal government's performance, at times grilling top officials on their actions or lack of action.

The constitution calls for executive branch departments to assist the president in executive the laws of the nation. --> building electoral support, making policy, and managing people and programs

Executive political appointees serve at the top of the federal bureaucracy, while career civil servants provide stability from administration to administration. Entrance and advancement within civil servants are merit based. They enjoy considerable protections from termination (for political reasons) which may present presidents with a significant challenge. It is a complex hierarchy of people, most of whom will still have their jobs long after the president and political appointees have moved on.

The president formally controls most of the federal bureaucracy and he can influence the bureaucracy through the appointment of federal officials, by submitting a budget, and through executive orders. Congress can control the bureaucracy by passing laws that set priorities, appropriating funding, and holding oversight hearings. Judicial decisions may restrict bureaucratic action.

Both the separation of powers and the realities of American federalism shape the behaviors of the federal departments, agencies, and bureaus. Efforts to reform the bureaucracy to -- limit its power, reduce its size, and fix inefficiencies -- include devolving responsibilities to the states, deregulation, and privatizing government responsibilities to increase competitiveness

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AP U.S. Government & Politics – The Bureaucracy

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