bureaucracy Flashcards
(41 cards)
Bureaucracy
: a hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality
four parts of bureaucracy
hierarchal
task specialization
merit principle
impersonality
4 myths about bureaucracy
americans dislike bureaucrats
bureaucracies are growing
most work in dc
ineffective and mired in red tape
Patronage
: given for political reasons rather than merit or competence alone
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
: act that created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage
Civil service:
a system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service
Hatch Act (1939):
prohibits civil service employees from actively participating in partisan politics while on duty
The Office of Personnel Management:
the office in charge of hiring for most agencies of the federal government, using elaborate rules in the process
GS (General Schedule) Rating:
a schedule for federal employees, ranging from GS1 to GS18, by which salaries can be keyed according to rating and experience
Senior executive service:
GS 16-18; are at the very top
Plum book:
lists top federal jobs available for direct presidential appointment, often w/ senate confirmation
example of plum book job
ambassadorships
which department is not headed by a secretary
justice b/c it’s headed by attorney general
largest cabinet departments
defense, hhs
Independent regulatory commission:
a government agency responsible for some sector of the economy, making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest. It also judges disputes over these rules.
examples of independent regulatory commission
fcc, nlrb
Independent executive agency:
the government not accounted for by cabinet departments, IRCs, and government corporations
examples of independent executive agency
nasa
Government corporation:
a government organization that provides a service that could be provided by the private sector and charge for it
example of government corporation
us postal service, TVA
Policy implementation:
translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an operating, ongoing program
4 steps of implementation
creation of new agency or transferring to old, translation of goals into rules, coordination of resources and personnel
why does implementation sometimes fail
Program Design Lack of Clarity Lack of resources Administrative routine Administrators’ Dispositions Fragmentation:
Standard operating procedures:
used by bureaucrats to bring uniformity to complex organizations