Question 1

In addition to the federal bureaucracy, an additional category of public bureaucracies exists through

Accepted Answer

State and local governments have their own bureaucracies to carry out their functions and responsibilities. These bureaucracies include agencies responsible for areas such as public health, education, and transportation, among others.

Question 2

The German sociologist who attempted to define the boundaries and characteristics of bureaucratic organization was

Accepted Answer

Max Weber is known for his work on bureaucracy, where he emphasized the importance of clear hierarchies, division of labor, and standardized procedures in achieving organizational efficiency. He also identified three types of authority: traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational, and argued that the latter was the most effective in modern societies.

Question 3

The Weberian bureaucracy is characterized by which of the following organizational traits?

Accepted Answer

The Weberian bureaucracy is characterized by all of these traits, including clear division of labor, hierarchical organization, and impersonal relationships. These traits are often viewed as strengths of the bureaucracy, as they promote efficiency and standardization in decision-making and operations. However, they may also be criticized for lacking flexibility and responsiveness to individual needs and situations.

Question 4

In the months that followed the landfall of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the American federal bureaucracy

Accepted Answer

The American federal bureaucracy increased in national prominence in the months that followed the landfall of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Question 5

The sets of rules governing the behavior of bureaucrats are commonly referred to as

Accepted Answer

The term "standard operating procedures" is commonly used to describe the sets of rules governing the behavior of bureaucrats. These procedures are put in place to ensure that bureaucrats follow established protocols and guidelines in carrying out their duties.

Question 6

Which of the following was used as the shelter of last resort for New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina?

Accepted Answer

The New Orleans Superdome was used as the shelter of last resort for residents who were unable to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina.

Question 7

According to Chester Barnard's research at AT&T in the early 20th century, ______ and not just rules and regulations are central to understanding bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

Chester Barnard's research at AT&T in the early 20th century showed that people are central to understanding bureaucracy, not just rules and regulations. He emphasized the importance of understanding human behavior, motivation, and communication within organizational structures.

Question 8

An official employed within a government bureaucracy is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A bureaucrat is an official employed within a government bureaucracy, which refers to a group of non-elected officials who implement governmental policies. An autocrat is a ruler who has absolute power, a democrat refers to a supporter of democracy, and an ethnocrat is someone who seeks to promote the interests of a particular ethnic group. None of these terms accurately describe an official employed within a government bureaucracy.

Question 9

According to early research into bureaucracies, bureaucratic power rests upon

Accepted Answer

Early research into bureaucracies, particularly by Max Weber, emphasized the importance of rational-legal authority as the basis for bureaucratic power. This means that bureaucratic power is based on following established rules and regulations, rather than personal relationships or emotions.

Question 10

Unlike Congress, the president, and the Supreme Court, the federal bureaucracy differs in that it ______.

Accepted Answer

The federal bureaucracy has a more direct impact on American lives than Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court because it is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and regulations that affect citizens' daily lives. The bureaucracy includes agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service, which regulate everything from air and water quality to healthcare and tax policy.

Question 11

The agency responsible for planning and operating the New Orleans levee and pump system was the ______.

Accepted Answer

The United States Army Corps of Engineers was responsible for planning and operating the New Orleans levee and pump system.

Question 12

Privately owned corporations and companies that carry out specific tasks according to a prescribed set of rules and procedures are called

Accepted Answer

Private bureaucracies are privately owned corporations or companies that operate based on a specific set of rules and procedures to carry out their tasks efficiently.

Question 13

For Chester Barnard, ______ was central to the success of a bureaucracy and overcoming its challenges.

Accepted Answer

Chester Barnard believed that effective leadership was central to the success of a bureaucracy and overcoming its challenges. He argued that leaders must be able to inspire and motivate their subordinates and create a shared sense of purpose and mission. Without strong leadership, bureaucracy can become rigid, inflexible, and unresponsive to changing circumstances. Therefore, the best choice is B) leadership.

Question 14

For Chester Barnard, the essence of a bureaucracy is that it involves ______ in pursuit of a joint objective.

Accepted Answer

Chester Barnard believed that a bureaucracy involves conscious coordination of activities, meaning that individuals within the organization work together towards a joint objective. While a clear division of labor and rules and regulations may be present in a bureaucracy, they are not considered the essence of it according to Barnard. Loosely organized operations would be the opposite of what is considered a bureaucracy.

Question 15

In the days, weeks, and months that followed Hurricane Katrina, residents of the Gulf Coast were looking to the ______ to step in and lead the recovery effort.

Accepted Answer

FEMA is the government agency responsible for coordinating the response to natural disasters in the United States, including Hurricane Katrina. They were expected to provide resources and support to the affected communities in the aftermath of the hurricane. While other organizations also played a role in the recovery effort, FEMA was the primary agency responsible for leading the overall response.

Question 16

The challenge that arises when one actor tasks another to carry out their wishes in the presence of uncertainty and unequal information is called the ______ problem.

Accepted Answer

The principal-agent problem describes a situation where one party (the principal) hires another party (the agent) to carry out a task on their behalf. This creates the potential for a conflict of interest because the principal may not have complete information about the agent's actions and decisions, and the agent may be incentivized to act in their own self-interest rather than the principal's. This problem is particularly relevant in situations where there is considerable uncertainty, such as in financial markets or in the management of large organizations. The other options (B, C, and D) are more specific instances of the principal-agent problem, and not as general.

Question 17

Driving much of the bureaucracy's direct involvement in American lives are the demands of

Accepted Answer

The demands of the people themselves drive much of the bureaucracy's direct involvement in American lives, as the bureaucracy often responds to public needs and demands for services, regulation, and intervention.

Question 18

An organization designed to carry out specific tasks according to a prescribed set of rules and procedures is referred to as a(n)______.

Accepted Answer

A bureaucracy is a formal organization that follows set rules and procedures to achieve specific tasks. It is characterized by hierarchy, division of labor, and impersonality. Democracies and anarchies refer to forms of government, while hierarchy refers to a system of organization based on levels of authority.

Question 19

The word "bureaucracy" literally means

Accepted Answer

The word "bureaucracy" comes from the French word "bureau," which means "office," and the Greek word "kratia," which means "rule or government". Therefore, the literal meaning of bureaucracy is "rule by offices," making option A the correct choice.

Question 20

Of all of the concerns in New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina, perhaps most worrisome was the ______ system.

Accepted Answer

The levee and pump system was a major concern in New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina, as the city is located below sea level and the levees were not strong enough to withstand the storm surge. The failure of the levee system led to devastating flooding and loss of life. Emergency preparedness, evacuation routes, and fire and EMS were also concerns, but the failure of the levee and pump system had the most catastrophic consequences.

Quiz 14: The Federal Bureaucracy