How Well Do You Know Federal Bureaucracy

Judicial review refers to the ability of the Supreme Court to declare laws made by the legislature as unconstitutional. This means that the Supreme Court can review laws passed by the legislature and determine if they violate the Constitution. If the court finds a law to be unconstitutional, it can declare it null and void, effectively striking it down. This power is an important check on the legislative branch, ensuring that laws are in line with the Constitution and protecting individual rights.

The correct answer suggests that the bureaucratic system is now critical to our government because the problems faced by the government are too vast and complex for Congress to control. This implies that the bureaucratic system is necessary to handle the intricate issues that Congress cannot effectively manage on its own.

The correct answer is that agencies have quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers. This means that agencies have the ability to create rules and regulations (quasi-legislative) and also the ability to interpret and enforce those rules (quasi-judicial). This aspect of the Fourth Branch is controversial because it raises concerns about the separation of powers and the potential for agencies to overreach their authority. It also raises questions about accountability and the extent to which agencies should be able to make and enforce laws without direct oversight from the legislative and judicial branches.

The correct answer is "existing far from the controls of the public." This answer suggests that the bureaucracy contributes to the negative opinion of the government because it operates independently and is not easily influenced or controlled by the general public. This lack of transparency and accountability can lead to a perception that the government is distant and unresponsive to the needs and concerns of the people.

The iron triangle is a term used to describe the close relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies. In this context, the iron triangles of power refer to the powerful lobby forces that support the industries and contracts behind ineffective and unwanted programs. These lobby forces have a vested interest in maintaining the existence of these programs, as it allows them to continue benefiting financially and exerting influence. This makes it difficult to remove such programs, as they have influential backers who resist any attempts to eliminate them.

The judiciary, executive, and legislature all have oversight and can check and balance the bureaucracy. The judiciary can review the actions of the bureaucracy to ensure they are within the bounds of the law. The executive branch, through the president or governor, can appoint and remove bureaucratic officials and can also issue executive orders to guide their actions. The legislature can pass laws that regulate the bureaucracy and can also conduct hearings and investigations to hold them accountable. Together, these three branches of government provide a system of checks and balances to prevent the bureaucracy from abusing its power.

A government corporation is the best description for the given scenario. A government corporation is a type of bureaucratic organization that operates like a business, providing services to the public and aiming to generate profits. The Post Office fits this description as it provides services to the American people and seeks to sustain its existence by raising profits. Independent commissions and regulatory agencies have different roles and functions within the government, so they do not accurately describe the Post Office.

Peter's law, also known as the Peter Principle, states that in a hierarchy, employees tend to be promoted to their level of incompetence. This means that individuals who perform well in their current position will continue to be promoted until they reach a position in which they are no longer competent. This principle highlights the potential inefficiencies and limitations of a bureaucratic system, as individuals may be promoted based on past performance rather than their ability to excel in the new role.

The General Accounting Office is in charge of monitoring the proper spending of federal monies. This agency is responsible for auditing the financial operations of government agencies and ensuring that funds are being used appropriately and efficiently. They provide Congress with reports and recommendations to improve financial management and accountability.

The correct answer is Civil Servants because the bureaucracy primarily comprises individuals who are part of the civil service. Civil servants are government employees who are hired based on their qualifications and expertise to carry out administrative and executive tasks in various government departments and agencies. On the other hand, political appointees are individuals who are appointed to specific positions within the government based on their political affiliations or connections. While political appointees may also be part of the bureaucracy, they are not the main component of it.