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AP Government Bureaucracy Flashcards

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6379419818PatronageOne of the key inducements used by machines. A patronage job, promotion, or contract is one that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone.0
6379419819Spoils SystemThe old system of giving government jobs to friends and political allies regardless of their qualifications1
6379419820Pendleton Civil Service ActPassed in 1883, an Act that created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.2
6379419821Merit PrincipleThe idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams and promotion ratings to produce administration by people with talent and skill.3
6379419822Hatch ActA federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.4
6379419825BureaucracyAccording to Max Weber, the hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality. Bureaucracies govern modern states. It is the term for the hundreds of agencies within the executive branch.5
6379419826Independent Regulatory AgencyA government agency responsible for some sector of the economy, making and enforcing rules supposedly to protect the public interest. It also judges disputes over these rules. The Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Reserve Board, Securities Exchange Commission are examples.6
6379419827Governmental CorporationsA government organization that, like business corporations, provides a service that could be provided by the private sector and typically charges for its services. The U.S. Postal Service, Corporation for Public Radio, and Amtrak are examples.7
6379419828Independent Executive AgencyThe government not accounted for by cabinet departments, independent regulatory agencies, and government corporations. Its administrators are typically appointed by the president and serve at the president's pleasure. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and General Services Administration are examples.8
6379419829Whistle Blower Protection ActThe law that created the Office of Special Counsel, charged with investigating complaints from bureaucrats that were punished after reporting to Congress about waste, fraud, or abuse in their agencies.9
6379419831DeregulationThe lifting of restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities for which government rules had been established and that bureaucracies had been created to administer.10
6379419832Executive OrdersRegulations originating from the executive branch. Executive orders are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy; more often, though, presidents pass along their wishes through their aides.11
6379419833Iron TrianglesEntities composed of bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees, which have dominated some areas of domestic policymaking. These are characterized by mutual dependency, in which each element provides key services, information, or policy for the others.12
6379419834ExpendituresFederal spending of revenues. Major areas such as spending are social services and the military.13
6379419841Office of Personnel ManagementIn charge of hiring for most federal agencies, director is appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate. It has elaborate rules about hiring, promotion, working conditions, and firing14
6379419842Merit Systems Protection BoardProtects the integrity of the federal merit system and the rights of federal employees; in charge of hearing cases of wrongdoing, employee appeals, and disciplinary action15
6379419843Congressional Budget Office (CBO)Advises Congress on the probable consequences of its decisions, forecasts revenues, and is a counterweight to the president's OMB.16
6379419845AppropriationAn act of Congress that actually funds programs within limits established by authorization bills. It usually covers one year.17
6379419847Issue NetworksComplex systems of relationships between groups that influence policy, including elected leaders, interest groups, specialists, consultants, and research institutes18
6379419849Department of AgricultureCabinet Department - began in 1862 under Lincoln. has jurisdiction over anything food related including food stamps program, school lunch programs, and meals on wheels.19
6379419850Department of CommerceCabinet Department - provides assistance to American businesses, issues patents and trademarks, conducts the national census, and maintains official weighs and measures20
6379419851Department of DefenseCabinet Department - entrusted with formulating military policies and maintaining American military forces. Its top official is a civilian. It is headquartered in the Pentagon.21
6379419852Department of EnergyCabinet Department - plans energy policy and researches alternative power sources22
6379419853Department of the InteriorCabinet Department - protects public land and natural resources and handles relations with Native Americans23
6379419854Department of JusticeCabinet Department - federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (includes FBI, Civil Rights Division, Antitrust Division, Drug Enforcement Administration...) - Attorney General24
6379419855Department of LaborCabinet Department - protects the rights of workers, safe working environments, OSHA, enforce minimum wage25
6379419856Department of StateCabinet Department - staffs embassies and handles foreign affairs26
6379419857Department of TransportationCabinet Department - regulates all aspects of American Transportation needs including airlines A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak and the national railroad system.27
6379419858Department of TreasuryCabinet Department - prints and mints all paper currency and coins in circulation through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint. The Department also collects all federal taxes through the Internal Revenue Service, and manages U.S. government debt instruments.28
6379419859Department of Veteran's AffairsCabinet Department - a federal agency that administers Benefits provided by law for veterans of the armed forces.29
6379419860Department of Health and Human ServicesCabinet Department - administrative unit of the federal government with four major service divisions and many different sections. Includes the Public Health Services, CDC, NIH, FDA, Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services, and Health Resources Administration and oversees Obamacare30
6379419861Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentCabinet Department - increased federal aid to low-income apartment renters and built more federal housing projects. Part of Johnson's War on Poverty.31
6379419862Department of EducationCabinet Department - manages federal education programs, oversees educational grants to the states.32
6379419863Department of Homeland SecurityCabinet Department -formed in 2002 from the combination of 22 departments and agencies, the Department works to improve the security of the United States. They cover the areas of customs, border, and immigration enforcement; emergency response to natural and man-made disasters; anti-terrorism work; and cyber-security.33

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