2.12 Understanding Federal Bureaucracy and Policy

What is the primary function of the federal bureaucracy?

• To create laws

• To implement policies created by other branches of government

• To elect government officials

• To provide political support to candidates

How are bureaucrats typically hired and promoted in the federal bureaucracy?

• Based on their political connections

• Through the merit system

• By public vote

• Through the spoils system

What is the merit system?

• A system where individuals are hired based on their political support

• A system where individuals are hired and promoted based on their qualifications and job performance

• A system where individuals are hired through public elections

• A system where individuals are hired based on their family connections

What is an iron triangle?

• A group of individuals forming around a particular issue

• A mutually-beneficial relationship between an interest group, congressional committee, and bureaucratic agency

• A system of hiring based on merit

• A nonpartisan group of civil servants

What is the primary difference between an iron triangle and an issue network?

• Iron triangles are temporary, while issue networks are permanent

• Iron triangles involve only bureaucratic agencies, while issue networks involve only interest groups

• Iron triangles are longstanding and stable, while issue networks are more fluid and temporary

• Iron triangles are nonpartisan, while issue networks are partisan

What is the role of the civil service in the federal bureaucracy?

• To create new laws

• To provide political support to elected officials

• To serve as the permanent, professional branches of government administration

• To elect the President

How has the transition from a patronage-based system to a merit-based system affected the federal bureaucracy?

• It has decreased the professionalism and expertise of the bureaucracy

• It has increased the professionalism and expertise of the bureaucracy

• It has made the bureaucracy more politically biased

• It has reduced the number of civil servants

What is patronage in the context of the federal bureaucracy?

• Hiring based on merit

• Hiring based on political support

• Hiring based on public elections

• Hiring based on academic qualifications

Why is the federal bureaucracy considered nonpartisan?

• Because it is elected by the public

• Because it is composed of career civil servants who span many presidential administrations

• Because it only supports one political party

• Because it creates laws

What role does the federal bureaucracy play in the policymaking process?

• It creates policies independently

• It implements and enforces policies created by other branches of government

• It only advises the President on policy matters

• It has no role in the policymaking process