Review Part 10

The BureaucracyThe Bureaucracy

1) An advantage that bureaucrats in federal government have over the president in the policymaking process is that bureaucrats

a. Control the budgetary process

b. Have an independence from the president that is guaranteed by the Constitution

c. Find it easier to gather public support than does the president

d. Usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the president lacks

e. Usually have better access to the media than does the president

1) An advantage that bureaucrats in federal government have over the president in the policymaking process is that bureaucrats

a. Control the budgetary process

b. Have an independence from the president that is guaranteed by the Constitution

c. Find it easier to gather public support than does the president

d. Usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the president lacks

e. Usually have better access to the media than does the president

2) All of the following influence the Department of Defense’s yearly budget EXCEPT

a. The desire of the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee

b. The budget recommendations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

c. The rate of increase of the size of the armed forces

d. The number of bases being closed

e. The budget request made by the minority party in the House of Representatives

2) All of the following influence the Department of Defense’s yearly budget EXCEPT

a. The desire of the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee

b. The budget recommendations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

c. The rate of increase of the size of the armed forces

d. The number of bases being closed

e. The budget request made by the minority party in the House of Representatives

3) Cabinet-level agencies are responsible to

a. Congress

b. The President

c. The Courts

d. The White House Staff

e. The Executive office of the President

3) Cabinet-level agencies are responsible to

a. Congress

b. The President

c. The Courts

d. The White House Staff

e. The Executive office of the President

4. The theoretical bureaucratic structure includes all the following EXCEPT

a. A hierarchical authority structure

b. A “spoils” system

c. Extensive rules

d. Standard operating procedures

e. A division of labor

4. The theoretical bureaucratic structure includes all the following EXCEPT

a. A hierarchical authority structure

b. A “spoils” system

c. Extensive rules

d. Standard operating procedures

e. A division of labor

Explanation

The key word in the question is theoretical. Based on theory, choices A, C, D, and E all exist in the formation and operation of bureaucracies. A spoils system stemming from Andrew Jackson’s statement of “to the victors belong the spoils” is not part of the theoretical basis, even though it does happen practice.

5) Many contemporary politicians have come to see bureaucracies as agencies

a. That aim to make realistic recommendations that may result in lower budgets than the year before

b. Whose main objective is to seek profits

c. Whose major goal is to cut back on their powers

d. Who strive to maximize their budgets and powers

e. Who work more closely with the judiciary

5) Many contemporary politicians have come to see bureaucracies as agencies

a. That aim to make realistic recommendations that may result in lower budgets than the year before

b. Whose main objective is to seek profits

c. Whose major goal is to cut back on their powers

d. Who strive to maximize their budgets and powers

e. Who work more closely with the judiciary

Explanation

Because bureaucracies have developed the reputation of wanted to create so-called empires of power, many politicians have become skeptical. In fact, there have been calls to abolish the Departments of Education and Energy.

6) According to some political scientists, which policymaking group is largely responsible for the growth of modern government?

a. Bureaucracies

b. Congress

c. The President

d. Private business

e. The courts

6) According to some political scientists, which policymaking group is largely responsible for the growth of modern government?

a. Bureaucracies

b. Congress

c. The President

d. Private business

e. The courts

7) All the following are characteristics of the independent regulatory agency EXCEPT that

a. It has responsibility for some sector of the economy

b. It makes rules designed to protect the public interest

c. It enforces rules designed to protect the public interest

d. Its powers are so great that it is often called “the fourth branch of the government”

e. It is exempt from court rulings

7) All the following are characteristics of the independent regulatory agency EXCEPT that

a. It has responsibility for some sector of the economy

b. It makes rules designed to protect the public interest

c. It enforces rules designed to protect the public interest

d. Its powers are so great that it is often called “the fourth branch of the government”

e. It is exempt from court rulings

8) All the following are examples of independent regulatory agencies EXCEPT

a. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

b. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

c. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB or Fed)

d. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

e. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

8) All the following are examples of independent regulatory agencies EXCEPT

a. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

b. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

c. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB or Fed)

d. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

e. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

9) Bureaucratic policy implementation includes all the following elements EXCEPT the ability of the agency to

a. Abolish a nonfunctioning department in another agency

b. Create new operating procedures within its own agency

c. Assign new responsibilities within its own agency

d. Translate policy goals into operational rules for its own personnel

e. Coordinate its own resources and personnel to achieve intended goals

9) Bureaucratic policy implementation includes all the following elements EXCEPT the ability of the agency to

a. Abolish a nonfunctioning department in another agency

b. Create new operating procedures within its own agency

c. Assign new responsibilities within its own agency

d. Translate policy goals into operational rules for its own personnel

e. Coordinate its own resources and personnel to achieve intended goals

10) Administrative regulations contain all the following elements EXCEPT

a. A grant of power and a set of directions from Congress

b. A set of rules and guidelines by the regulatory agency itself

c. Power granted to the Justice Department to enforce heavy sanctions, including abolishing the agency

d. A means of enforcing compliance with congressional goals and agency regulations

e. A set of penalties for noncompliance

10) Administrative regulations contain all the following elements EXCEPT

a. A grant of power and a set of directions from Congress

b. A set of rules and guidelines by the regulatory agency itself

c. Power granted to the Justice Department to enforce heavy sanctions, including abolishing the agency

d. A means of enforcing compliance with congressional goals and agency regulations

e. A set of penalties for noncompliance

Explanation

The enforcement of sanctions and the ability to abolish an agency is given to the executive and legislative branches of government. Choices A, B, D, and E are administrative responsibilities given to bureaucratic agencies themselves.

11) When a president tries to control a bureaucratic agency, all the following methods are available to him EXCEPT

a. Appointing the right people to head the agency

b. Reducing the agency’s budget

c. Issuing executive orders

d. Recommending a reduction of the agency’s following year’s budget

e. Using his office to influence agency direction

11) When a president tries to control a bureaucratic agency, all the following methods are available to him EXCEPT

a. Appointing the right people to head the agency

b. Reducing the agency’s budget

c. Issuing executive orders

d. Recommending a reduction of the agency’s following year’s budget

e. Using his office to influence agency direction

Explanation

The budgets of bureaucratic agencies are determined by legislative actions only. The president can appoint chairs of agencies, can issue an executive order that may negate an agency directive, can recommend a reduction or increase in the budget of these agencies, and can try to use a bully pulpit to influence the direction of an agency.

12) Which of the following results from an iron triangle relationship?

a. Each policy being made independently from the others

b. Policies being made that are contradictory from others

c. A lack of an integrated, coherent approach to broad policy problems

d. A cooperative relationship among the bureaucratic agencies making policy

e. A hostile relationship among the bureaucratic agencies making policy

12) Which of the following results from an iron triangle relationship?

a. Each policy being made independently from the others

b. Policies being made that are contradictory from others

c. A lack of an integrated, coherent approach to broad policy problems

d. A cooperative relationship among the bureaucratic agencies making policy

e. A hostile relationship among the bureaucratic agencies making policy

Explanation

Thinking of a specific example like military-industrial complex during the Vietnam War gives you the answer to this question. By definition, an iron triangle relationship exists when a bureaucratic agency, special interest group, and legislative arm work hand in hand to develop policies.

13) In recent years presidential policy with respect to the federal bureaucracy has been to

a. Favor an increase in the number of workers to cope with the complexity of federal programs

b. Favor significant budget increases to fund new programs

c. Favor a downsizing and reorganization of the work force

d. Request the creation of new agencies to regulate the transportation industry

e. Request the elimination of the Central Intelligence Agency

13) In recent years presidential policy with respect to the federal bureaucracy has been to

a. Favor an increase in the number of workers to cope with the complexity of federal programs

b. Favor significant budget increases to fund new programs

c. Favor a downsizing and reorganization of the work force

d. Request the creation of new agencies to regulate the transportation industry

e. Request the elimination of the Central Intelligence Agency

The EndThe End