Question 1

The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 as a response to 9/11.

Accepted Answer

The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 as a response to 9/11.

Question 2

Which of the following is an agency created by Congress to assist it in overseeing the federal bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

The General Accountability Office (GAO) is an agency created by Congress to assist it in overseeing the federal bureaucracy. It conducts audits, evaluations, and investigations of federal agencies and programs to ensure accountability and improve government efficiency. The other options listed do not fulfill this specific role in overseeing the federal bureaucracy.

Question 3

The Reagan administration terminated several government agencies during the 1980s.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Reagan administration terminated several government agencies...

Question 4

The ratio of federal employees to the total United States workforce has gone up in the last half-century.

Accepted Answer

The ratio of federal employees to the total U.S. workforce has generally decreased over the last half-century as the overall workforce has grown faster than the number of federal employees.

Question 5

Bureaucracies have often been criticized for being inefficient.What are some of the management techniques that have been used to make bureaucracies more efficient and responsive to needs? Why have many of these reforms had limited success?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bureaucracies have often been criticized for being...

Question 6

The main mission of the State Department is diplomacy.

Accepted Answer

The State Department's main mission is to conduct diplomacy, which involves negotiating with other countries, promoting U.S. interests abroad, and building relationships with other nations.

Question 7

Describe the organizational structure of the federal bureaucracy.What are the differences between departments,agencies,and bureaus? Explain the lines of authority within the executive branch.How is the federal bureaucracy staffed,and how has this changed since the nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the organizational structure of the federal...

Question 8

Under President George W.Bush,government outsourcing declined dramatically.

Accepted Answer

Under President George W. Bush, government outsourcing increased significantly, particularly in the areas of defense and security.

Question 9

Describe some ways in which the federal bureaucracy can be rendered more democratically accountable.What is the problem of bureaucratic accountability? What is oversight? What are some possible ways in which the president can control the bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some ways in which the federal...

Question 10

Cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries are chosen through the merit system.

Accepted Answer

Cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries are typically appointed by the President or head of government, not through a merit system.

Question 11

Individual members of Congress can discover questions of public responsibility when engaged in:

Accepted Answer

Constituent case work involves dealing with individual problems and concerns of constituents, and can lead to larger questions of public responsibility. The other choices listed usually involve more procedural or partisan matters.

Question 12

The different agencies of the executive branch can be grouped according to the different kinds of services they provide.Describe the three main categories of agencies.What kinds of services do they provide? Give some examples of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The different agencies of the executive branch...

Question 13

Printing U.S.currency is the responsibility of the Department of the Interior.

Accepted Answer

Printing U.S. currency is actually the responsibility of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which is a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Department of the Interior is responsible for managing and conserving natural resources and cultural heritage in the United States.

Question 14

Iron triangles disappeared as a result of the Civil Service Act of 1883.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Act of 1883 did not cause iron triangles to disappear. Iron triangles continued to exist and exert influence in the government even after the passage of the act. The act did, however, establish a merit-based system for hiring government officials, which aimed to reduce the influence of patronage and political machines in government appointments.

Question 15

Since the 1970s,the federal government has established no new regulatory programs.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The federal government has established numerous new regulatory programs since the 1970s, including those related to environmental protection, workplace safety, consumer protection, and financial regulation.

Question 16

Amtrak is a good example of a government corporation.

Accepted Answer

Amtrak is a national rail operator in the United States that was created by the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970. It operates as a government corporation, which means it is owned by the government but operates like a private business. The government provides funding and sets certain regulations, but Amtrak has its own management team and is responsible for its own financial performance.

Question 17

Bureaucracies must be rendered accountable by the president and Congress.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracies, as part of the executive branch, are accountable to the president. Additionally, Congress has a role in oversight and holding them accountable through congressional hearings, budgetary control, and legislation.

Question 18

The most visible indication of oversight is the:

Accepted Answer

The use of public hearings before congressional committees and subcommittees are the most visible indication of oversight because they are often televised and widely reported on in the media. These hearings allow members of Congress to question government officials and experts about the effectiveness of policies and programs and to hold them accountable for their actions. Additionally, these hearings provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the inner workings of government and to voice their concerns about particular issues.

Question 19

Independent agencies are important components of Cabinet departments.

Accepted Answer

Independent agencies are distinct from Cabinet departments and are not considered part of them.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about congressional oversight of the bureaucracy is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the number of oversight hearings has increased over time as the bureaucracy has expanded is accurate. However, the extent of oversight does depend somewhat on which party controls the White House, as members of the opposing party may be more motivated to investigate and hold accountable a bureaucracy controlled by their political opponents.

Quiz 11: Bureaucracy

The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 as a response to 9/11.

Which of the following is an agency created by Congress to assist it in overseeing the federal bureaucracy?

The Reagan administration terminated several government agencies during the 1980s.

The ratio of federal employees to the total United States workforce has gone up in the last half-century.

Bureaucracies have often been criticized for being inefficient.What are some of the management techniques that have been used to make bureaucracies more efficient and responsive to needs? Why have many of these reforms had limited success?

The main mission of the State Department is diplomacy.

Describe the organizational structure of the federal bureaucracy.What are the differences between departments,agencies,and bureaus? Explain the lines of authority within the executive branch.How is the federal bureaucracy staffed,and how has this changed since the nineteenth century?

Under President George W.Bush,government outsourcing declined dramatically.

Describe some ways in which the federal bureaucracy can be rendered more democratically accountable.What is the problem of bureaucratic accountability? What is oversight? What are some possible ways in which the president can control the bureaucracy?

Cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries are chosen through the merit system.

Individual members of Congress can discover questions of public responsibility when engaged in:

The different agencies of the executive branch can be grouped according to the different kinds of services they provide.Describe the three main categories of agencies.What kinds of services do they provide? Give some examples of each.

Printing U.S.currency is the responsibility of the Department of the Interior.

Iron triangles disappeared as a result of the Civil Service Act of 1883.

Since the 1970s,the federal government has established no new regulatory programs.

Amtrak is a good example of a government corporation.

Bureaucracies must be rendered accountable by the president and Congress.

The most visible indication of oversight is the:

Independent agencies are important components of Cabinet departments.

Which of the following statements about congressional oversight of the bureaucracy is most accurate?