Chapter 9 The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureacracy

Question 1

The thousands of federal government agencies and institutions that implement and administer federal laws and programs

Answer 1

federal bureaucracy

Question 2

The firing of public-office holders of a defeated political party to replace them with loyalists of the newly elected party.

Answer 2

spoils system

Question 3

Jobs, grants, or other special favors that are given as rewards to friends and political allies for their support.

Answer 3

patronage

Question 4

A system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability, rather than party loyalty.

Answer 4

merit system

Question 5

Reform measure that established the principle of federal employment on the basis of open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commision

Answer 5

Pendleton Act

Question 6

The merit system which many federal bureaucrats are selected

Answer 6

civil service system

Question 7

An entity created by congress outside a major executive department

Answer 7

independent regulatory system

Question 8

Major administrative units with responsibility for a broad area of government operations. Departmental status usually indicates a permanent national interest in a particular governmental function, such as defense, commerce, or agriculture

Answer 8

departments

Question 9

Governmental units that closely resemble a Cabinet department but have narrower areas of responsibility, and perform services rather than regulatory functions

Answer 9

independent executive agencies

Question 10

Businesses established by Congress to perform functions that could be provided by private businesses

Answer 10

government corporations

Question 11

The 1939 act to prohibit civil servants from taking activists roles in partisan campaigns. This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions, working for a particular party, or campaigning for a particular candidate.

Answer 11

Hatch Act

Question 12

The 1993 liberalization of the Hatch Act. Federal employees are now allowed to run for office in nonpartisan elections and to contribute money to campaigns in partisan elections.

Answer 12

Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993

Question 13

The process by which a law or policy is put into operation

Answer 13

implementation

Question 14

The relatively stable relationships and patterns of interactions that occur among agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees.

Answer 14

iron triangles

Question 15

The loose and informal relationships that exist among a large number of actors who work in broad policy areas

Answer 15

issue networks

Question 16

Working groups created to facilitate coordination of policy making and implementation across a host of government agencies

Answer 16

interagency councils

Question 17

The ability of bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement congressional or executive intentions

Answer 17

administrative discretion

Question 18

A quasi-legislative process that results in regulations that have the characteristics of a legislative act

Answer 18

rule making

Question 19

Rules that govern the operation of all government programs that have the force of law

Answer 19

regulations

Question 20

A quasi-judicial process in which a bureaucratic agency settles disputes between two parties in a manner similar to the way courts resolve disputes

Answer 20

administrative adjudication