unit 2D: the bureaucracy

The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation.

An official employed within a government bureaucracy.

Usually the largest organization in government with the largest mission; also the highest rank in Federal hierarchy.

A government entity that is independent of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

A government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress.

A government agency that is operated like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.

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

A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.

Filling of administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than solely on merit.

A system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections.

Federal statute barring federal employees from active participation in certain kinds of politics and protecting them from being fired on partisan grounds.

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

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

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

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.

1. An act of Congress that created the first U.S. Civil Service Commission to draw up and enforce rules on hiring, promotion, and tenure of office within the civil service (also known as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883).

Legislative or executive review of a particular government program or organization. Can be in response to a crisis of some kind or part of routine review.

A specific course of action that government takes to address a problem.

The list of issues that the federal government pays attention to.

A nongovernmental organization that seeks to influence public policy through research and education.

Coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy (federal department or agency), Congress (congressional committee), and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals.

Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates.