Chpt. 15 The Bureaucracy
- 1.
Who exercises control over the bureaucracy?
- A.
There is very little control over the bureaucracy because agencies make regulations that have the force of the law.
- B.
The executive branch controls the bureaucracy bt appointing all federal employees.
- C.
Congress controls the bureaucracy because it has the power to fire agency heads after the oversight hearings and for cause.
- D.
The judicial branch controls the bureaucracy by reviewing regulations to make sure they are constitutional before they go into effect.
- E.
Both congress and the executive branch have controls over the bureaucracy.
Correct Answer
E. Both congress and the executive branch have controls over the bureaucracy.Explanation
Both Congress and the executive branch have controls over the bureaucracy. The executive appoints agency heads and proposes agency budgets. Congress must approve budget proposals and can hold oversight hearings.Rate this question:
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- 2.
How has the appointment of federal officials changed over time?
- A.
It has become more political because more government jobs have been created and are filled through patronage.
- B.
It is based now solely on merit; all federal government employees must take civil service exam.
- C.
It is a combination of merit and political appointment with most jobs in the bureaucracy based on an exam or specific job qualifications
- D.
Prospective employees take a civil service exam, and the person with the best score who is also a member of the president's political party is awarded the position.
- E.
There is no set procedure for filling jobs in the bureaucracy; each agency has its own rules.
Correct Answer
C. It is a combination of merit and political appointment with most jobs in the bureaucracy based on an exam or specific job qualificationsExplanation
Top-level jobs in the bureaucracy are filled by political appointment. However, most federal jobs are based upon a competitive exam or the applicant's ability to meet specific criteria.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A postal clerk asks a customer if her package contains anything flammable. The customer responds that she is mailing a bottle of nail polish to her elderly aunt, who lives across town. The postal service employee allows the package to be mailed. The clerk's decision is an example of
- A.
Discretionary authority
- B.
Standard operating procedures
- C.
Standard deviation
- D.
Abuse of power
- E.
Complexity and red tape
Correct Answer
A. Discretionary authorityExplanation
Street-level bureaucrats have discretionary authority when rules are not spelled out clearly.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of the following has been a criticism of the process for firing a bureaucrat?
- A.
It is too political, and bureaucrats are often terminated for expressing their political beliefs.
- B.
Although bureaucrats must be given written warnings before they are terminated, there in nont enough time given for them to improve their performance.
- C.
It is too difficult to fire bureaucrats because the process is elaborate and time-consuming.
- D.
Many good people do not enter the bureaucracy because most federal bureaucrats are fired when a new president takes office.
- E.
The process for terminating an employee differs from agency to agency, making the firing process too inconsistent.
Correct Answer
C. It is too difficult to fire bureaucrats because the process is elaborate and time-consuming.Explanation
The process for firing a bureaucrat is elaborate and time consuming, often taking more than a year.Rate this question:
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- 5.
How does the bureaucracy compare with the rest of the government in employing women and minorities?
- A.
Women and minorities mirror the population as a whole at all levels of the bureaucracy.
- B.
There are more women and minorities in congress than in the bureaucracy.
- C.
There are more women in the bureaucracy than in the rest of the government, but there are fewer minorities than in the population as a whole.
- D.
There are more women and minorities in the bureaucracy, but they are clustered in lower level jobs.
- E.
The bureaucracy is overwhelmingly white and male.
Correct Answer
D. There are more women and minorities in the bureaucracy, but they are clustered in lower level jobs.Explanation
There are more women and minorities in the bureaucracy than in other branches of government. However, thay are clustered in lower paying, lower level jobs.Rate this question:
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- 6.
From the standpoint of a federal agency, what is the advantage of an iron triangle?
- A.
It gives the agency allies in Congress, as well as in the private sector.
- B.
It allows federal agencies to recieve funding directly from interest groups.
- C.
It provides agency heads with access to the media, so they can publicize their programs.
- D.
It gives the federal agency a direct link to the White House staff.
- E.
It preventss Congress from using oversight hearings as a means of cutting agency budget.
Correct Answer
A. It gives the agency allies in Congress, as well as in the private sector.Explanation
Iron triangles consist of a federal agency, interest groups, and a congressional committee or subcommittee involved in a specific policy area. Iron triangles are important links between the agency, Congress, and the private sector.Rate this question:
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- 7.
How can Congress chek the activities of the bureaucracy?I. through appropriationsII. by appointing new agency headsIII. through oversight hearingsIV. through annual authorization legislation
- A.
I and II
- B.
I, II, and III
- C.
I, III, and IV
- D.
II, III, and IV
- E.
I and III
Correct Answer
C. I, III, and IVExplanation
Congress can check the bureaucracy by appropriating funds and holding oversight hearings. An authorization bill is required to establish an agency. Some authorizations are subject to annual review.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The Pentagon paid $91 for screws that cost 3 cents at a hardware store. This is an example of which problem inherent in bureaucracies?
- A.
Red tape
- B.
Imperialism
- C.
Duplication
- D.
Waste
- E.
Cinflict among agencies
Correct Answer
D. WasteExplanation
Althought the problem is often exxagerated, waste is one criticism of the bureaucracy.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The Department of Homeland Security was established to coordinate policies among the Federal Bueau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Central Intelligience Agency, as well as other federal agencies. What is the most serious problem that the creation of this department attempted to resolve?
- A.
Red tape
- B.
Imperialism
- C.
Duplication
- D.
Waste
- E.
Conflict and lack of coordination among agencies
Correct Answer
E. Conflict and lack of coordination among agenciesExplanation
Although the Department of Homeland Security was established to reduce a number of problems, the most serious was cinflict and a lack of coordination among agencies.Rate this question:
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- 10.
In general what is the opinion of the American public regarding the bureaucracy?
- A.
When people have personal dealings with bureaucrats, they generally have positive experiences, although they have a less favorable attitude about the government as a whole.
- B.
When people have personal dealings with the bureaucrats, they generally have negative experiences, although they a more favorable attitude about the government as a whole.
- C.
People have negative experiences with individual bureaucrats and feel negatively about the goverernment as a whole.
- D.
People have positive experiences with individual bureaucrats and feel positively about the goverernment as a whole
- E.
People believe that bureaucrats try to be helpful, but they believe that the bureaucracy is too small to provide services effectively.
Correct Answer
A. When people have personal dealings with bureaucrats, they generally have positive experiences, although they have a less favorable attitude about the government as a whole.Explanation
In general, people have good experiences with street-level bureaucrats, but they have a less favorable attitude about the bureaucracy as a whole.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jan 03, 2011Quiz Created by
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