Chapter 13 The Federal Bureaucracy Test Review

One of the advantages that federal bureaucrats have over other groups (including the President) in the policymaking process is that

They’ve been bureaucrats longer than the President has been president, a real advantage as far as getting things done.

What are issue networks?

Temporary for the most part, but loose and informal relationships that exist among those people in government who work in broad policy areas (health care, defense, public entitlements…)

What are iron triangles?

Permanent, for the most part, stable relationships and patterns of interaction that exist between a government agency, interest group and congressional committee (Remember from Interest Groups?)

How can the President control the bureaucracy?

They can appoint the right people to head the agency, They can recommend to the OMB to reduce the agency’s budget, Use his office to influence the agency’s direction (he is the boss, you know).

How can Congress control the bureaucracy?

By passing laws that affect that particular agency and by cutting their funding through the federal budget By reviewing the annual budget appropriations process

What is the main job of the federal bureaucracy?

To implement policy – number one responsibility!!!

How are cabinet departments different from independent regulatory agencies?

The president seeks appointees who reflect administration views in making cabinet appointments but not so much in making appointments to independent regulatory agencies. (Who wants the head of the FAA to there just because he was a friend of POTUS?)

Why do we have independent regulatory agencies?

To regulate certain industries and to protect the public interest

The bureaucracy for the federal government operates under which three personal management systems?

Patronage, civil service and merit

What’s one of the biggest reasons why the public has such a dim view of the federal bureaucracy?

Because they exist far from the public and there is a perception that we have no say or control regarding the bureaucracy.

A very controversial aspect of the bureaucracy is

They are able to make quasi-laws and pass judgment on citizens (IRS on tax cheats, businesses that pollute) and there seems to be no recourse to the average citizen

Why is the bureaucratic system in place so important today?

Country is much bigger, there are more concerns, the problems we face are to big and vast for just Congress – we need other entities to help control things.

How did most people get a job with the federal government prior to the 1900s?

Through patronage, by knowing someone who could get you a job

What’s the difference between the OMB and the CBO?

The OMB works for the White House and helps to compile the budget for congressional review, but the CBO, while there are responsibilities re: the budget, is in charge of monitoring the proper spending of federal monies

What is the primary function of cabinet members?

They’re usually well accomplished people who have little political power, which is fine because their primary responsibility is to effectively run their department and advise the president.

How can the president exercise his control over this bureaucracy, which was here before he got here, and will here after he leaves.

Appointing loyal supporters to head the agency, using executive orders, and altering their budgets.

What are some examples of independent regulatory agencies?

FCC (radio / TV), FAA (Airplanes), FDA (food & medicines), SEC (Stock Market), NLRB (national labor issues), FTC (trade), FED (Federal Reserve Board), EPA (Environment)

What does the Hatch Act do?

Helps us maintain a federal bureaucracy which is, supposedly partisan free, but forbidding high ranking public employees from serving in key positions of a national campaign.

This covers the main info for the Multiple Choice questions Short answer is up to you.