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Gov. Chapter 14
The Bureaucracy
27
Political Studies
12th Grade
05/02/2010

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Term
bureaucracy
Definition
a large organization that is structured hierarchially to carry out specific functions
Term
administrative agency
Definition
a federl, state, or local government unit established to perform a specific functioin. Administrative agencies are created and authorized by legislative bodies to administer and enforce specific laws
Term
weberian model
Definition
a model of bureaucracy developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, who viewed bureaucracies as rationsl, hierarchical organizations in which power flows from the top downward and decisions are based on logical reasoning and data analysis
Term
acquisitive model
Definition
a model of bureaucracy that views top-level bureaucrats as seeking constantly to expand the size of their budgets and the staffs of their departments or agencies so as to gain greater power and influence in the public sector
Term
monopolistic model
Definition
a model of bureaucracy that compares bureaucracies to monopolistic business firms. Lack of competition within a bureaucracy leads to inefficient and costly operations
Term
garbage can model
Definition
a model of bureaucracy that characterizes bureaucracies as rudderless entities with little formal organization in which solutions to problems are based on trial and error rather than rational policy planning
Term
cabinet department
Definition
one of the 14 departments of the executive branch (state, treasury, defense, justice, interior, argiculture, commerce, labor, health and human services, housing and urban development, education, energy, transportation, and veterans affairs)
Term
line organization
Definition
with respect to the federal government, an administrative unit that is directly accountable to the president
Term
independent executive agency
Definition
a federal agency that is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president
Term
independent regulatory agency
Definition
an agency outisde the major executive departments charged with making and implementing rules and regulations to protect the public interest
Term
capture
Definition
the act of gaining direct or indirect control over agency personnel and decision makers by the industry that is being regulated
Term
government corporation
Definition
an agency of government that administers a quasi-business enterprise. These corporations are used when activities are primarily commercial. They produce revenue for their continued existence, and the require greater flexibility than is permitted for departments and agencies
Term
natural aristocracy
Definition
a small ruling clique of a society's best citizens, whose membership is based on birth, wealth, and ability. The Jeffersonian era emphasized government rule by such a group
Term
spoils system
Definition
the awarding of government jobs to political supporters and friends; generally associated with President Andrew Jackson
Term
merit system
Definition
the selection, retention, and promotion of government employers on the basis of competitive examinations
Term
pendleton act
Definition
the law, as amended over the years, that remains the basic statute regulating federal employment personnel policies. It established the pronciple of employment on the basis of merit and created the Civil Service Commission to administer the personnel service
Term
civil service sommission
Definition
the initial central personnel agency of the national government (created in 1883)
Term
hatch act (political activities act)
Definition
the act that prohibits the use of federal authority to influence nominations and elections or the use of rank to pressure federal employees to make political contributions. It also prohibits civil service employees from active involvement in political campaigns
Term
government in the sunshine act
Definition
a law that required all multiheaded federal agencies to conduct their business regularly in public session
Term
sunset legislation
Definition
a law requiring that an existing program be reviewed regularly for its effectiveness and be terminated unless specifically extended as a result of this review
Term
contracting out
Definition
the replacecment of government services with services provided by private firms
Term
whistleblower
Definition
someone who brings to public attention gross governmental inefficiency or an illegal action
Term
enabling legislation
Definition
a statute enacted by Congress that authorizes the creation of an administrative agency and specifies the name, purpose, composition, functions, and powers of the agency being created
Term
iron triangle
Definition
the 3-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests
Term
issue network
Definition
a group of individuals or organizations - which may consist of legislators or legislative staff members, interest group leaders, bureaucrats, the media, scholars, and other experts - that supports a particular policy position on a given issue, such as one relating to the environment, taxation, or consumer safety
Term
authorization
Definition
a formal declaration by a legislative committee that a certain amount of fundinf may be available to an agency. Some authorizations terminate in a year, others are renewable automatically without further congressional action
Term
appropriation
Definition
the passage, by Congress, of a spending bill, specifying the amount of authorized funds that actually will be allocated for an agency's use
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