Question 1

Which of the following statements about career civil servants in senior executive service positions is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Career civil servants in senior executive service positions do not hold most of the top policy-related patronage positions; these are typically political appointees.

Question 2

What is the biggest downside to holding a patronage position in the federal bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Patronage positions often lack job security because they are typically tied to the political party or administration in power, and can be lost when there is a change in leadership.

Question 3

What factor(s) do political scientists use to distinguish among national bureaucrats?

Accepted Answer

Political scientists distinguish among national bureaucrats based on how they are hired and how they can be fired, as these factors influence their independence and accountability.

Question 4

The salary range for white-collar federal civil service employees ranges is, approximately,

Accepted Answer

The salary range for white-collar federal civil service employees ranges from $18,300 to $133,500.

Question 5

All of the following are associated with the process in which the government contracts private businesses or organizations to provide public services EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The "plum book" is a publication that lists positions within the federal government that are appointed by the president, and is not related to the process of contracting private businesses to provide public services.

Question 6

Those workers who do the work of government but don't get a government paycheck are known as ________ bureaucrats.

Accepted Answer

Shadow bureaucrats are individuals who perform government functions but are not directly employed by the government, often working in private or non-profit sectors.

Question 7

A bureaucracy that follows Weber's ideal bureaucratic structure has all the following characteristics, EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Weber's ideal bureaucratic structure emphasizes specialization and division of labor, not rotation through all tasks.

Question 8

The Pendleton Civil Service Act introduced a civil service system for the national government based on

Accepted Answer

The Pendleton Civil Service Act introduced a civil service system for the national government based on merit, which means that government jobs were awarded based on qualifications and performance rather than political connections or patronage.

Question 9

What is the name given to the book, published every four years, that lists the federal positions available through presidential patronage?

Accepted Answer

The "Plum Book" is the informal name for the publication that lists thousands of federal civil service leadership and support positions that may be subject to noncompetitive appointment, often through presidential patronage.

Question 10

Senior executive service (SES) positions are

Accepted Answer

SES positions are designed to be a hybrid between political appointments and civil service positions, allowing for both leadership and continuity in government operations.

Question 11

The assassination of which president by an unsuccessful seeker of a patronage position spurred passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Act in 1883?

Accepted Answer

President James Garfield was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau, who was frustrated after being denied a patronage position. This event highlighted the need for civil service reform, leading to the Pendleton Civil Service Act.

Question 12

The civil service system created by the Pendleton Civil Service Act is guided by which hiring principle(s)?

Accepted Answer

The Pendleton Civil Service Act established a merit-based system for hiring government employees, emphasizing open competition, competence, and political neutrality to reduce the influence of patronage and partisanship.

Question 13

According to Max Weber, bureaucracies possess which of the following features?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber's model of bureaucracy includes division of labor, hiring based on competency, a hierarchical structure, and standard operating procedures, making all the listed features correct.

Question 14

Before the establishment of the civil service system in 1883, what system of hiring was used to staff the federal bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Before the civil service system was established, the patronage system, also known as the "spoils system," was used, where the president appointed supporters and party loyalists to federal positions.

Question 15

As compared to private-sector employees, all of the following statements about public servants are accurate EXCEPT that public servants

Accepted Answer

Public servants are not necessarily far less satisfied in their positions compared to private-sector employees. In fact, many public servants find satisfaction in serving the public and contributing to the community.

Question 16

What criterion determines a federal job's salary?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What criterion determines a federal job's salary?
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Question 17

Which title of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits federally funded institutions from discriminating in educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, and disabilities that can be reasonably accommodated?

Accepted Answer

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Question 18

Which title of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in personnel practices based on race, color, ethnicity, age, and disabilities that can be reasonably accommodated?

Accepted Answer

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It does not specifically mention age or disabilities, but it is the primary section addressing employment discrimination. Age and disability discrimination are covered under other laws like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Question 19

Based on studies cited by public administration and public policy scholar Charles Goodsell, which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

Charles Goodsell's studies generally highlight that most government employees are motivated and dedicated workers, countering the stereotype of them being lazy or unmotivated.

Question 20

The interaction of Titles VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act has helped foster a movement toward

Accepted Answer

Titles VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act aim to prevent discrimination and promote equal opportunity, which aligns with the principles of representative bureaucracy, where the workforce reflects the diversity of the population it serves.

Quiz 14: The Bureaucracy