According to Figure 13.1, what percentage of Americans have a favorable view of the federal government?

27 percent

How do government corporations differ from private companies?

Government corporations perform activities that private companies have little incentive to provide.

Which of the following circumstances creates difficulties in the implementation of federal laws?

when Congress passes a law that contains ambiguity

How did the Pendleton Act reform the system of hiring and firing federal employees?

It required hiring and firing decisions to be based on merit rather than partisan loyalty.

Popular control of the bureaucracy is best described as __________.

imperfect

Bureaucracy is best described as which of the following?

a large organization with a hierarchy of offices and a clear chain of command

When the Environmental Protection Agency sets limits on air pollution from power plants what bureaucratic role does it serve?

regulation

Which of the following best explains how the Department of Defense privatizes its own operations?

It procures weapons from private sector companies.

Cabinet secretaries are appointed by __________ and confirmed by __________.

the president; the Senate

Why was the spoils system ultimately discontinued?

due to growing concerns about a poorly functioning federal bureaucracy

Which of Max Weber's characteristics of bureaucracy is illustrated by a government agency in which the greatest authority resides with the agency head?

hierarchy/chain of command

What are civil servants?

government workers who are employed under the merit system

Imagine there is a need for a new executive branch of government that is designed to protect Americans and their computers from cyber attacks and issue warnings to the public about possible threats. What type of organization would be formed to accommodate this need?

an independent regulatory commission

When are bureaucrats most likely to exercise discretion?

when an agency is implementing a law that contains ambiguity

How does the president exercise control over agencies and departments in the federal bureaucracy?

by nominating federal appointees

Which executive agency has primary responsibility for administering civil service laws in the United States?

the Office of Personnel Management

Which regulating body would be responsible for investigating choking hazards related to a child's toy?

the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Which of the following terms refers to the authority of administrators in the federal bureaucracy to make choices concerning the best way to implement policies?

discretion

Which president is known for reviving the constitutional doctrine known as the unitary executive?

President George W. Bush

Which president famously said in the State of the Union address, "The era of big government is over"?

Bill Clinton

What was the only executive branch department to be established in the 1980s?

the Department of Veterans Affairs

What two reasons best explain why many high-level political appointees only work for the government for short periods of time?

They leave because of financial difficulties incurred by taking their government posts and because they do not like being in the public eye.

In recent years, privatization and outsourcing has __________.

increased at the federal level

Congress mandated the establishment of the office of inspector general in what year?

1978

Why is privatization/outsourcing seen as an attractive option for the delivery of public services?

Private companies may deliver services more efficiently.