Government Exam02 CH11 Flashcards
The Bureacracy is under the authority of which branch?
Executive
What is the primary purpose of the executive branch?
To carry out the laws that the legislative branch (congress) passes.
What is administrative discretion?
Laws congress passes are vague and bureaucrats need wide latitude in how they carry out the laws.
Executive Order Rules - They cannot what? (3 things)
Cannot oppose anything expressed in the Constitution
Cannot oppose anything settled by a SCOTUS decision.
Cannot oppose any legislation already passed by Congress and signed by a President
Who implements laws?
Bureaucracy
What are the two types of Bureaucratic Agencies?
Independent Executive Agency
Independent Regulatory Agency
What is an Independent Executive Agency?
NOT a part of a Cabinet department
BUT agency leader reports to the President.
Example: EPA
What is an Independent Regulatory Agency?
Agency leader is appointed by the President/confirmed by the Senate
BUT agency leader DOES NOT report to the President. They report to a board in charge.
Example: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Why don’t Independent Regulatory Agencies report to the President?
Safety and Politics. Politics should not determine the direction of an Independent Agency.
What is Agency Capture?
When an industry that is being regulated by a government agency gains direct (or indirect) control of the agency personnel and decision makers.
Agency capture occurs when that governmental body operates essentially as an advocate for the industries it regulates
Regulatory agencies that come to be controlled by the industries they are charged with regulating are known as captured agencies.
What is the Iron Triangle?
a 3-way alliance between CONGRESS, BUREAUCRATS and INTEREST GROUPS
Spoils vs Merit System
The spoils system says you can hire your friends if you win.
The Merit system says government positions are to be filled by competent people based on their skills and knowledge, not how much they donated to a campaign or agree with a party.
What does the Hatch Act of 1939 do?
Prohibits all but high level government employees in the EXECUTIVE BRANCH from engaging in forms of political activity.
