American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

WHAT IS THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY?

E Defi ne bureaucracy and explain its major functions. Pages 325–31

SUMMARY

The bureaucracy is composed of both civil servants and

political appointees and is in charge of interpreting and

implementing a wide range of government policies. While

bureaucrats are policy experts, most members of Congress

are not. Nonetheless, Congress still tries to control how the

bureaucracy operates, which can result in ineffi ciencies.

KEY TERMS

bureaucracy (p. 325)

civil servants (p. 325)

political appointees (p. 325)

regulation (p. 326)

notice and comment procedure (p. 326)

state capacity (p. 329)

red tape (p. 329)

standard operating procedures (p. 329)

problem of control (p. 330)

principal-agent game (p. 330)

PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. A government rule that aff ects the choices that indi-
   viduals or corporations make is called.
   a) an initiative
   b) a referendum
   c) a regulation
   d) a procurement
   e) an appropriation

STUDY GUIDE

2. One of the reasons bureaucrats take account of pres-
   sure from elected offi cials is because.
   a) they need congressional support to get larger
   budgets
   b) elected offi cials have more expertise
   c) they are all appointed by members of Congress
   d) their offi ces are housed in the Congress
   e) they are required by law to do so


3. In the problem of control, the is the
   principal and the is the agent.
   a) bureaucracy; president
   b) bureaucracy; Congress
   c) president; Congress
   d) president; bureaucracy
   e) Congress; president

S PRACTICE ONLINE

“Critical Thinking ” exercise: Politics Is Confl ictual—

Popular Perceptions of Bureaucracy

PRACTICE ONLINE with WWNORTON.COM/STUDYSPACE

Diagnostic Quiz & Key Term Flashcards for This Chapter

350 CHAPTER 11|THE BUREAUCRACY