All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the primary function of the General Services Administration (GSA)?
Answer: Manage federal property and buildings. GSA manages government real estate and procurement services.
Flashcard 2: Which principle upholds that federal agencies should be neutral and nonpartisan?
Answer: Neutral competence. Civil servants serve professionally regardless of political changes.
Flashcard 3: What is the purpose of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)?
Answer: Ensure fair process in agency rulemaking. APA establishes procedures for federal agency rulemaking.
Flashcard 4: What does the term 'sunset clause' refer to in legislation?
Answer: A provision that sets an expiration date for a law. Automatic termination date requiring legislative renewal.
Flashcard 5: What is the role of the Senior Executive Service (SES)?
Answer: Bridge between political leadership and civil service. Top career executives connecting political and career staff.
Flashcard 6: Identify the term for when bureaucratic agencies form alliances with interest groups.
Answer: Agency capture. When regulated industries influence their regulatory agencies.
Flashcard 7: What is the role of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)?
Answer: Audit and evaluate government operations. GAO investigates federal programs for Congress oversight.
Flashcard 8: What is 'whistleblowing' in the context of the federal bureaucracy?
Answer: Exposing misconduct within an agency. Reporting illegal or unethical government activities internally.
Flashcard 9: What does the term 'regulatory capture' imply?
Answer: Agencies serve industries they regulate. Regulators favor the industries they're supposed to oversee.
Flashcard 10: What is the primary function of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
Answer: Protect human health and the environment. EPA enforces environmental laws and regulations nationwide.
Flashcard 11: Which process allows citizens to request agency records?
Answer: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Law requiring agencies to release information to public.
Flashcard 12: What is the goal of performance-based budgeting in the bureaucracy?
Answer: Allocate resources based on efficiency and results. Budget decisions based on measurable outcomes and effectiveness.
Flashcard 13: Identify the key characteristic of a bureaucratic agency's structure.
Answer: Hierarchy. Clear chain of command from top leadership to lower levels.
Flashcard 14: What does the Hatch Act restrict for federal employees?
Answer: Political activities. Prohibits federal employees from partisan political campaign activities.
Flashcard 15: Which agency is responsible for preparing the federal budget?
Answer: Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB prepares the President's annual budget proposal to Congress.
Flashcard 16: Name the principle that ensures federal jobs are awarded based on merit.
Answer: Merit system. Jobs awarded based on qualifications, not political connections.
Flashcard 17: What is the main purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Answer: Provide public access to government records. FOIA promotes transparency by allowing public access to records.
Flashcard 18: Identify an example of a government corporation.
Answer: United States Postal Service (USPS). Government-owned corporation providing postal services nationwide.
Flashcard 19: What is an iron triangle in the context of bureaucracy?
Answer: A policy-making relationship among agencies, Congress, and interest groups. Close relationship creating mutual benefits and influence.
Flashcard 20: Which term describes the act of Congress delegating authority to the bureaucracy?
Answer: Delegated authority. Congress grants agencies power to implement and enforce laws.
Flashcard 21: What is the primary function of the federal bureaucracy?
Answer: Implementation of laws. Bureaucracy executes and enforces laws passed by Congress.
Flashcard 22: Identify the term for agencies that operate independently from executive departments.
Answer: Independent agencies. Agencies outside executive departments with specialized functions.
Flashcard 23: What is the role of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)?
Answer: Audit and evaluate government operations. GAO investigates federal programs for Congress oversight.
Flashcard 24: Identify the concept of bureaucratic discretion.
Answer: The ability of agencies to decide how to implement laws. Administrative flexibility in interpreting and applying laws.
Flashcard 25: What is the goal of performance-based budgeting in the bureaucracy?
Answer: Allocate resources based on efficiency and results. Budget decisions based on measurable outcomes and effectiveness.
Flashcard 26: What does the Hatch Act restrict for federal employees?
Answer: Political activities. Prohibits federal employees from partisan political campaign activities.
Flashcard 27: What is the role of the Senior Executive Service (SES)?
Answer: Bridge between political leadership and civil service. Top career executives connecting political and career staff.
Flashcard 28: What is the primary goal of administrative adjudication?
Answer: Resolve disputes involving agency rules. Administrative courts settle regulatory disputes and violations.
Flashcard 29: Which term describes the relationship between Congress, agencies, and interest groups?
Answer: Iron triangle. Mutually beneficial relationship between three key actors.
Flashcard 30: What is the primary function of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)?
Answer: Protect consumers and prevent anticompetitive practices. FTC enforces consumer protection and antitrust laws.