Chapter 9 The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy

The thousands of federal government agencies and institutions that implement and administer federal laws and programs.

The firing of public-office holders of a defeated political party to replace them with loyalists of the newly elected party.

Jobs, grants, or other special favors that are given as rewards to friends and political allies for their support.

A system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability, rather than party loyalty.

Reform measure that established the principle of federal employment on the basis of open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commission.

The merit system by which many federal bureaucrats are selected.

An entity created by Congress outside a major executive department.

Major administrative units with responsibility for a broad area of government operations. Departmental status usually indicates a permanent national interest in a particular governmental function, such as defense, commerce, or agriculture.

Governmental units that closely resemble a Cabinet department but have narrower areas of responsibility, and perform services rather than regulatory functions.

Businesses established by Congress to perform functions that could be provided by private businesses.

The 1939 act to prohibit civil servants from taking activist roles in partisan campaigns. This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions, working for a particular party, or campaigning for a particular candidate.

The 1993 liberalization of the Hatch Act. Federal employees are now allowed to tun for office in nonpartisan elections and to contribute money to campaigns in partisan elections.

The process by which a law or policy is put into operation.

The relatively stable relationships and patterns of interaction that occur among agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees.

The loose and informal relationships that exist among a large number or actors who work in broad policy areas.

Working groups created to facilitate coordination of policy making and implementation across a host of governmental agencies.

The ability of bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement congressional or executive intentions.

A quasi-legislative process that results in regulations that have the characteristics of a legislative act.

Rules that govern the operation of all government programs that have the force of the law.

A quaisi-judicial process in which a bureaucratic agency settles disputes between two parties in a manner similar to the way courts resolve disputes.

Rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. All executive orders must be published in the Federal Register.