AP Review Quiz Chapter 13

Firing a bureaucrat is not an easy task due to various reasons. Bureaucrats usually have job security, protection from political interference, and legal safeguards that make it difficult to terminate their employment. Additionally, bureaucratic processes and regulations often make it a lengthy and complicated procedure to dismiss a bureaucrat. Therefore, it is not true that it is easy to fire a bureaucrat.

The statement suggests that agencies are mostly staffed by lifetime bureaucrats who have not worked for any other agency. This implies that there is a lack of diversity and fresh perspectives within agencies, as most employees have limited experience and may be resistant to change. Therefore, the statement is true as it highlights the dominance of lifelong bureaucrats within agencies.

The explanation for the answer "False" is that the authorization and appropriation of funds for an agency's budget are not made by the president. In the United States, the power of the purse lies with the Congress. It is the responsibility of Congress to pass legislation that authorizes and appropriates funds for government agencies. The president may propose a budget, but it is ultimately up to Congress to approve and allocate the funds.

Before 1913, the federal government could not collect income taxes. This is true because the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which authorized the federal government to levy income taxes, was ratified in 1913. Prior to this amendment, the federal government relied on other sources of revenue, such as tariffs and excise taxes, to fund its operations. The introduction of income taxes allowed the government to generate additional revenue and fund various programs and initiatives.

The competitive service is indeed administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), unlike the excepted service. This means that the OPM is responsible for overseeing the hiring process, setting qualification standards, and maintaining personnel records for positions in the competitive service. The competitive service is a merit-based system that requires individuals to go through a competitive examination or selection process to be considered for employment. This system is designed to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore, the given answer, True, is correct.

A strong agency culture actually makes an agency more resistant to change. When there is a strong culture in place, employees are often deeply ingrained in the established ways of doing things and may resist any attempts to change or disrupt those norms. This can make it difficult to implement new ideas or strategies within the agency.

The explanation for the answer "False" is that the authorization and appropriation of funds for an agency's budget are not made by the president. In the United States, the power of the purse lies with the Congress, specifically the House of Representatives and the Senate. They have the authority to pass laws that allocate funds to different agencies and programs. The president does play a role in the budget process by submitting a budget proposal to Congress, but the final decision on funding rests with the legislative branch.

The correct answer is the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). This is because the ICC was the first independent regulatory agency created by the federal government, established in 1887. It was responsible for regulating and overseeing the railroad industry, which was a major part of the economy at the time. This marked the beginning of the federal government's involvement in regulating the economy on a larger scale. The other options mentioned, such as the passage of the 14th Amendment or the creation of the Department of Labor, were important milestones in their own right but did not directly relate to the regulation of the economy.

The relationship among an agency, a committee, and an interest group was described in the past as an iron triangle. This term refers to a close and mutually beneficial relationship between these three entities, where they work together to advance their own interests. The agency implements policies, the committee provides oversight and funding, and the interest group provides support and influence. This relationship is often characterized by a lack of transparency and accountability, with decisions being made behind closed doors.

Social Security is indeed an example of a trust fund. A trust fund is a financial arrangement where funds are held and managed by a trustee for the benefit of a specific purpose or individual. In the case of Social Security, the funds collected through payroll taxes are held in a trust fund and used to provide benefits to retired, disabled, and surviving individuals. The purpose of the trust fund is to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to meet the ongoing and future obligations of the Social Security program. Therefore, the statement "Social Security is an example of a trust fund" is true.

The correct answer is "does not mention departments or bureaus." This is because the Constitution does not specifically mention the creation or establishment of departments or bureaus within the federal bureaucracy. The Constitution grants certain powers to the president and Congress, but it does not explicitly outline the structure or organization of the bureaucracy. This lack of mention in the Constitution has led to debates and complications regarding the authority and accountability of the federal bureaucracy.

The correct answer is "an issue network." The definition of bureaucracy includes a large organization, authority divided among several managers, complexity of structure, and appointed officials. However, an issue network is not a part of the definition of bureaucracy. An issue network refers to a group of individuals and organizations that come together to address a specific policy issue, but it is not a characteristic of bureaucracy itself.

The correct answer is bureaucrats who tell on their bosses. The Whistle-blower Act of 1989 is a legislation that aims to protect government employees, specifically bureaucrats, who report or disclose illegal or unethical activities committed by their superiors or colleagues. This act provides safeguards against retaliation, such as demotion or termination, for those who expose wrongdoing within their organizations. By encouraging and protecting whistle-blowers, the act helps to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity within government agencies.

During times of war, governments often need to expand their bureaucracies in order to effectively manage and coordinate various aspects of the war effort. This includes recruiting and training additional personnel, establishing new departments and agencies, and implementing new policies and regulations. Wars require a significant increase in administrative capacity to handle the increased demands on the government, making it a period of substantial growth for the bureaucracy.

In the early days of the federal government, the Treasury Department had much power because it was responsible for managing the country's finances and collecting taxes. It played a crucial role in shaping economic policies and ensuring the stability of the nation's financial system. The Treasury Department was also involved in issuing currency, regulating banks, and managing the national debt. Its significant responsibilities and influence made it the department with the most power during that time.

A person appointed to a government position after passing an examination is likely joining the competitive service. This is because the competitive service is a system of employment in the federal government that is based on merit and qualifications. Candidates are required to go through a competitive examination process to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities for the job. This process ensures that individuals are selected based on their qualifications rather than personal connections or favoritism, as seen in the patronage system. The Department of State and Department of Justice are specific government departments and not the correct answer in this context.

Issue networks are groups that regularly debate government policy on specific issues. This means that they are composed of individuals from various backgrounds who come together to discuss and analyze specific policy matters. These networks are not limited to academics or nonpartisan individuals, nor are they exclusively composed of federal bureaucrats or party leaders. Their main purpose is to engage in ongoing discussions and debates related to government policies on specific issues.

The House Appropriations Committee is the most powerful group in Congress in terms of control over an agency's budget. This committee is responsible for allocating funds to various government agencies and programs. They have the authority to determine how much money each agency receives and can also impose conditions on the use of those funds. Their decisions have a significant impact on the functioning of the government and its agencies, making them a crucial group in terms of budget control.

The correct answer is that Congress cannot sentence an individual in contempt to jail. This is incorrect because Congress does have the power to sentence an individual in contempt to jail. This power is derived from its inherent authority to enforce its own orders and maintain its own dignity and effectiveness. When an individual refuses to comply with a congressional subpoena, Congress can hold that person in contempt and refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution. If found guilty, the individual can be sentenced to jail.

Congress has the authority to perform oversight functions such as authorization and appropriation of an agency budget, as well as the creation of an agency budget. However, Congress does not have the power to directly dismiss an agency head. While they can hold hearings and investigations into an agency's activities, they do not have the authority to directly remove an agency head from their position. This power typically lies with the President or the executive branch.