Deck 1: Big Democracy, Big Bureaucracy

Question 1

The unwritten agreement between the government and the governed that defines the responsibilities of each party is referred to as a

A) referendum
B) discretionary decision
C) social contract
D) constitution

Answer 1

C

Question 2

At the local level, public administration is characterized by unusually weak

A) chief executives
B) budgetary officers
C) legislative bodies
D) judges

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In many states, citizens have constrained government activities by adopting principles of direct democracy. Which of the following places an issue on the ballot through petitions signed by registered voters?

A) a recall
B) a referendum
C) an initiative
D) a supermajority

Answer 3

C

Question 4

______________________ is the device used to reconcile bureaucracy with democracy.

A) Public administration
B) Public policy
C) Civic responsibility
D) Legislative action

Question 5

American public administration is characterized as

A) aggressive
B) constrained.
C) forceful
D) destructive

Question 6

What percentage of American has a favorable opinion of government workers?

A) 20%
B) 50%
C) 70%
D) 90%

Question 7

A _________________ election allows voters to determine whether an elected official can complete his/her term in office.

A) primary
B) referendum
C) recall
D) general

Question 8

_________________ power refers to a public administrator's authority to decide how to implement public policies.

A) Discretionary
B) Legislative
C) Judicial
D) Noetic

Question 9

Congressional repeal of an executive action taken in the course of administering a law is known as a

A) line-item veto
B) legislative veto
C) discretionary veto
D) political veto

Question 10

______________________ allows Congress to review how agencies fill in the blanks in a law.

A) Proposition 13
B) Congressional Review Act of 1996
C) Government Employees Training Act of 1958
D) Setting the policy agenda

Question 11

The Articles of Confederation created a strong national government with a centralized bureaucratic structure.

Question 12

Public administration and bureaucracy are specifically referenced in the U.S. Constitution.

Question 13

The majority of Americans believe that they have been treated fairly in their interactions with public bureaucrats.

Question 14

In contrast to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson supported a constrained administrative tradition.

Question 15

The United States has smaller governments and lower taxes than comparable countries.

Question 16

There is a clear correlation between strong social capital and low performing state government.

Question 17

Discuss why U.S. presidents may feel frustrated by or indifferent to the bureaucracy. What are the potential consequences of these actions?

Question 18

Why did the Framers of the U.S. Constitution create constrained government structures and processes?

Question 19

Discuss the differences between the image and the reality of the public bureaucrat.

Question 20

What are some of the features of constrained public administration?

Question 21

How would you describe American's view of their governments today?

Question 22

Discuss the ways in which legislative and executive institutions have been "bureaucratized".

Question 23

Speculate on the "staying power" of government agencies. What mechanisms prevent the failure of government bureaucracies?