Deck 13: The Bureaucracy

Question 1

Under the False Claims Act,a private individual can pursue a claim in court if the Justice Department fails to proceed.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

In managed competition,the task of providing public services is not open to competition.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Identify a social program that is available only to low-income individuals.

A) Social Security 
B) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
C) Medicare 
D) The public health insurance option 
E) Unemployment compensation

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The power that a regulatory agency has to make rules is conferred on it by the president in the agency's enabling legislation.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true of federal government spending for 2016? 

A) Social Security and Medicare are available only to low-income individuals. 
B) Along with veterans' benefits, defense spending amounts to more than a fifth of the federal budget. 
C) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) accounts for 22 percent of the federal budget. 
D) Medicaid is funded by payroll taxes and paid out to all qualifying persons, regardless of income. 
E) National debt is most likely to decrease in future years.

Question 6

In response to pressure for more government openness and disclosure,Congress passed the Government Performance and Results Act in 1997.

Question 7

A(n)_____ is a large,complex,hierarchically structured administrative organization that carries out specific functions.

A) adhocracy 
B) bureaucracy 
C) republic 
D) democracy 
E) regiment

Question 8

Identify a department of the federal government that existed in 1789.

A) Department of Commerce 
B) Department of the Interior 
C) Department of Justice 
D) Department of the Treasury 
E) Department of Education

Question 9

Which of the following social programs is paid out to all qualifying persons,regardless of income? 

A) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
B) Medicaid 
C) Medicare 
D) The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 
E) Food stamps

Question 10

Identify a true statement about government employment.

A) Today, more Americans are employed by the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy than by government. 
B) All in all, the three levels of government employ more than 50 percent of the civilian labor force. 
C) Most growth in government employment from 1959 to 2015 has been at the state and local levels. 
D) Government employment has been more stable since 1959, when D. Eisenhower was elected president. 
E) Government employment increased during President Ronald Reagan's first four years in office.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of government employment during the presidency of Ronald Reagan? 

A) Government employment has been unstable since 1980, when Reagan was elected president. 
B) During Reagan's first four years in office, government employment rose sharply. 
C) President Reagan's 1980 stimulus program helped stabilize government employment through 1981-1982. 
D) The inclusion of revenue sharing during Reagan's presidency led to a drop in government employment. 
E) Decrease in government employment during Reagan's presidency was primarily at the local level.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true of the bureaucracy of the federal government? 

A) The bureaucracy of the federal government is part of the executive branch. 
B) The head of the bureaucracy of the federal government reports to Congress. 
C) In the federal government, the head of the bureaucracy is the vice president of the United States. 
D) The concept of a bureaucracy is confined to the federal government. 
E) In the bureaucracy of the federal government, people are hired to work in different branches irrespective of their area of expertise.

Question 13

Which of the following explains why the federal government bureaucracy exists? 

A) Bureaucrats work in different branches of the government irrespective of their area of expertise. 
B) Congress, over time, has delegated certain tasks to specialists. 
C) The power to act resides in the person rather than in the position. 
D) People are hired on the basis of their work experience instead of merit. 
E) Different operating procedures are followed depending on circumstances.

Question 14

Which of the following makes up the highest percentage of the federal government's revenues as of 2016? 

A) Individual income tax and taxes that are collected along with it 
B) Corporate income tax 
C) Income from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds 
D) Funds obtained through borrowing 
E) Sales tax and property tax

Question 15

Identify a true statement about a bureaucracy.

A) In a bureaucracy, the power to act resides in the person rather than in the position. 
B) In a bureaucracy, people are hired to work in different branches irrespective of their area of expertise. 
C) A bureaucracy does not have a reporting structure. 
D) The concept of a bureaucracy is not confined to the federal government. 
E) Large organizations do not have a bureaucracy.

Question 16

President Obama's 2009 _____,which transferred large sums to local governments,helped stabilize government employment through 2010.

A) revenue sharing program 
B) stimulus program 
C) Social Security program 
D) accreditation program 
E) interest on debt program

Question 17

A key aspect of any bureaucracy is that the power to act resides in the _____.

A) culture 
B) governing body 
C) law 
D) position 
E) person

Question 18

The administrative agencies of the federal government are authorized to directly lobby Congress.

Question 19

All of the following statements about a bureaucracy is correct EXCEPT: 

A) a bureaucracy is a large, complex administrative organization. 
B) a bureaucracy is organized with a structured hierarchy. 
C) in a bureaucracy, the power to act resides in the person rather than in the position. 
D) a bureaucracy usually entails standard operating procedures. 
E) in a bureaucracy, people are hired and promoted on the basis of demonstrated skills and achievements.

Question 20

Issue networks are more interdependent and unified than iron triangles.

Question 21

Which of the following statements is true of the organization of the federal government? 

A) A government corporation is a major structure of the legislative branch of the federal government. 
B) An independent executive agency of the federal government is located within a cabinet department. 
C) The judicial branch of the federal government consists of a number of bureaucracies that provide services to the president directly. 
D) Each type of structure of the executive branch of the federal government has its own internal workings. 
E) An executive agency and a regulatory agency of the federal government has the same relationship to the president.

Question 22

Government corporations are like private corporations in that: 

A) they charge for their services. 
B) their owners must raise more capital in case of a loss. 
C) they facilitate buying of stock. 
D) they are dissolved in case of a loss. 
E) their shareholders are held accountable when they fail to make a profit.

Question 23

Which of the following is an independent executive agency of the federal government? 

A) The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 
B) The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 
C) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
D) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
E) The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Question 24

Why was the General Services Administration (GSA)created as an independent executive agency in 1949? 

A) To promote the interests of small businesses 
B) To conduct covert operations outside the United States 
C) To manage the government's Social Security programs 
D) To serve specific parts of the government 
E) To provide services and office space for most federal agencies

Question 25

Unlike an executive department of the federal government,an independent executive agency: 

A) is not located within a cabinet department. 
B) has multiple functions.​ 
C) follows a typical bureaucratic structure. 
D) does not have a reporting structure. 
E) is created by Congress as the perceived need for it arises.

Question 26

Which of the following statements is true of the Department of Health and Human Services? 

A) It was one of the departments created by the federal government in 1789. 
B) It is an independent regulatory agency of the federal government. 
C) One of its principal duties is to enforce pure food and drug laws. 
D) One of its subagencies is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 
E) It develops and rehabilitates urban communities.

Question 27

Why did Congress create independent executive agencies? 

A) To protect the public interest in a particular sector of the economy 
B) To reinforce the role of the agencies in iron triangles 
C) To create and implement rules that regulate private activity 
D) To protect the agencies from partisan politics 
E) To enable the agencies to exhibit neutral competency

Question 28

Each cabinet department consists of the department's top administrators plus a number of _____.

A) plaintiffs 
B) magistrates 
C) marshals 
D) agencies 
E) bailiffs

Question 29

Heads of the executive departments of the federal government are confirmed by _____.

A) the chief justice 
B) the Senate 
C) the president 
D) the vice president 
E) Congress

Question 30

Which of the following is one of the structures of the executive branch of the federal government? 

A) Private corporations 
B) Independent regulatory agencies 
C) Autonomous advisory councils 
D) State courts 
E) Federal courts

Question 31

Which of the following is a principal duty of the Department of Housing and Urban Development? 

A) To oversee resale of mortgages 
B) To administer programs for highways, railroads, and aviation 
C) To promote the interests of workers 
D) To finance improvements in mass transit 
E) To supervise federally owned lands and parks

Question 32

Which of the following is a principal duty of the Department of the Interior? 

A) To give legal advice to the president 
B) To operate federal hydroelectric power facilities 
C) To provide assistance to farmers and ranchers 
D) To conduct national census 
E) To coordinate federal programs and policies for education

Question 33

Which of the following is a principal duty of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? 

A) To regulate the nation's stock exchanges 
B) To protect employees' rights to join unions 
C) To examine claims of discrimination 
D) To prevent unfair trade practices 
E) To prevent the formation of business monopolies

Question 34

_____ appoints the heads of the executive departments within the executive branch of the federal government.

A) The chief justice 
B) The Senate 
C) The president 
D) The vice president 
E) Congress

Question 35

The executive departments are: 

A) businesses owned by the federal government. 
B) federal bureaucratic organizations that have a single function. 
C) stockholder-owned government-sponsored enterprises. 
D) organizations responsible for a specific type of public policy. 
E) the major service organizations of the federal government.

Question 36

Which of the following is one of the principal duties of the Department of the Treasury? 

A) To grant patents and trademarks 
B) To mint coins and print paper currency 
C) To oversee resale of mortgages 
D) To finance improvements in mass transit 
E) To supervise Native American affairs

Question 37

Unlike a private corporation,a government corporation: 

A) facilitates buying of stock. 
B) forces taxpayers to pay the bill in case of a loss. 
C) offers free services. 
D) is essentially a nonprofit organization. 
E) provides services to the government sector only.

Question 38

A federal agency that engages primarily in commercial activities,produces revenues,and requires greater flexibility than most agencies is known as a(n)_____.

A) executive department 
B) government corporation 
C) national board of review 
D) independent regulatory agency 
E) stockholder-owned government-sponsored enterprise

Question 39

A principal duty of the Department of Justice is to: 

A) give legal advice to the president. 
B) handle attacks and natural disasters. 
C) supervise Native American affairs. 
D) conduct national census. 
E) prevent terrorist attacks within the United States.

Question 40

Which of the following statements is true of the Department of Justice? 

A) It handles attacks and natural disasters. 
B) It conducts national census. 
C) It supervises Native American affairs. 
D) It protects citizens abroad. 
E) It supervises federal prisons.

Question 41

Policy and Supporting Positions is a document that: 

A) publishes the list of federal positions that are filled by appointments by the president after each presidential election. 
B) lists the names of lobbyists who target the executive branch. 
C) identifies the key pieces of legislation that authorize the federal government to act through its agencies. 
D) summarizes the parts of the government bureaucracy and explains what each agency does. 
E) lists the standard operating procedures to be followed by the federal government in specific circumstances.

Question 42

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)found that Herald Inc.was misrepresenting its company data.The FTC prosecuted the company after making investigations and holding trial-like hearings with an administrative law judge (ALJ).This scenario is an example of _____. 

A) diplomacy 
B) authorization 
C) rulemaking 
D) adjudication 
E) neutral competency

Question 43

Channing works in the Department of Agriculture.He informs the press about the unethical research methods used by the department officials.In this scenario,Channing is a _____.

A) whistleblower 
B) defendant 
C) lobbyist 
D) covert agent 
E) bailiff

Question 44

Which of the following is a similarity between an iron triangle and an issue network? 

A) Both are independent and distinct. 
B) Both have highly structured relationships among experts. 
C) Both apply to all policy domains. 
D) Both include media outlets. 
E) Both are made up of people with similar policy concerns.

Question 45

Identify a true statement about rulemaking.

A) Rulemaking involves the evaluation and adoption of an existing regulation. 
B) A regulatory agency can make rules whenever it wishes. 
C) A regulatory agency can base its rules on discretion. 
D) The power of rulemaking is conferred on a regulatory agency by the president in the agency's enabling legislation. 
E) A regulatory agency must follow process requirements set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946.

Question 46

Justin works in an executive department of the federal government.He notices that some of his fellow bureaucrats are engaged in bribery.He reports to the law enforcement officials about the ongoing corruption in his department.This scenario illustrates that Justin is a _____.

A) lobbyist 
B) red-tapist 
C) whistleblower 
D) covert agent 
E) bailiff

Question 47

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 established the principle of government employment on the basis of: 

A) patronage and seniority. 
B) merit through open, competitive examinations. 
C) service to a political party. 
D) campaign contributions. 
E) recommendations by members of Congress.

Question 48

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)is a(n)_________.A.independent executive agencyB.independent regulatory agencyC.subagency of the Treasury Department.D.government corporation

Question 49

Which of the following best describes adjudication? 

A) The act of rendering a judicial decision 
B) The process of formulating new regulations 
C) The application of technical skills to jobs without taking political issues into consideration 
D) The formation of alliances among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups 
E) The reporting of gross governmental inefficiency

Question 50

The _________ was created by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and it oversees promotions,employees' rights,and other employment matters for people working in the federal bureaucracy.A.Office of Personnel ManagementB.National Labor Relations BoardC.Merit Systems Protection BoardD.General Accounting Office

Question 51

The three corners of the iron triangle in policymaking are: 

A) the national, state, and local levels of government. 
B) the media, the public, and the political parties. 
C) Congress, the president, and the courts. 
D) legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups. 
E) the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the president.

Question 52

The _________ was one of the three departments of the federal government that existed in 1789.A.Department of StateB.Department of LaborC Department of JusticeD.Department of Commerce

Question 53

With regard to the federal civil service,the _____ recruits,interviews,and tests potential government workers and determines who should be hired.

A) Office of Special Counsel 
B) Department of Labor 
C) Office of Personnel Management 
D) Department of the Interior 
E) Department of Veterans Affairs

Question 54

Issue networks differ from iron triangles in each of the following ways EXCEPT: 

A) they can include media outlets. 
B) they are less unified than iron triangles. 
C) they are less structured than iron triangles. 
D) they usually include fewer players than iron triangles. 
E) there can be more than one network in a given policy area.

Question 55

In a government,a _________ is an employee who carries out the policies of elected government officials.A.covert agentB.plaintiffC.bailiffD.bureaucrat

Question 56

Unlike an iron triangle,an issue network: 

A) has people with differing policy concerns. 
B) is less interdependent and unified. 
C) is more structured. 
D) includes less players. 
E) has only one network in a given policy area.

Question 57

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)performs all of the following tasks EXCEPT: 

A) recommending potential government workers to relevant agencies. 
B) interviewing potential government workers. 
C) testing people who seek government jobs. 
D) appointing people to positions in the government. 
E) recruiting people for employment in the government.

Question 58

Increasingly,government agencies have attempted to improve their effectiveness and efficiency by making use of _____.

A) the traditional media  
B) partisan politics 
C) public relations firms 
D) iron triangles 
E) the Internet

Question 59

The term _____ refers to nonmilitary government employees.​ 

A) iron triangle 
B) whistleblower 
C) political plum 
D) covert operation 
E) civil service

Question 60

Which of the following statements is true of an iron triangle? 

A) An iron triangle is a three-way alliance among the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the president. 
B) An iron triangle helps in understanding the federal bureaucracy's role in policymaking. 
C) An iron triangle is established in only certain parts of the bureaucracy of the federal government. 
D) An iron triangle relationship applies to all policy domains. 
E) An iron triangle is made up of people with differing policy concerns.

Question 61

Describe an independent regulatory agency.List the major independent regulatory agencies.

Question 62

Discuss the laws that were passed to protect whistleblowers.

Question 63

Discuss some of the ways in which the government has attempted to improve efficiency in the bureaucracy.

Question 64

Discuss the formation of the federal civil service.

Question 65

Discuss the requirements for making rules that should be met by regulatory agencies.

Question 66

An administrative agency rule that carries the same weight as a statute enacted by a legislature is known as _________.A.an administrative regulationB.a merit systemC.a legislative ruleD.enabling legislation