Question 1

Bureaucracy is the name given to

Accepted Answer

The definition of bureaucracy matches option A, which describes a large organization with a hierarchical structure that is established to carry out specific functions. Options B, C, and D are either too broad or too narrow, while option E is incorrect as bureaucracy can exist in corporate or university organizations as well as in government organizations.

Question 2

One of the important differences between public bureaucracies and private corporations is that government bureaucracies

Accepted Answer

Government bureaucracies are primarily focused on providing services to the public and are not driven by profit motives, unlike private corporations which aim to generate profits for their shareholders.

Question 3

Which of the following statements are true about federal spending?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Postal Service has been self-supporting through the sale of postage, products, and services, not receiving tax dollars for operating expenses for decades.

Question 4

Which part of the federal government employs most of the government's staff?

Accepted Answer

The executive branch employs the majority of the government's staff, including agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Homeland Security.

Question 5

Armed forces generally

Accepted Answer

Armed forces typically exhibit characteristics of bureaucracy, such as a hierarchical structure, strict regulations, and defined roles and responsibilities, which are essential for their operation and management.

Question 6

All of the following are true of bureaucracies EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Public bureaucracies, while they operate with a degree of autonomy, are not fully independent of Congress. Congress has oversight responsibilities and can influence public bureaucracies through legislation, budget control, and hearings.

Question 7

The number of federal government employees has

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Office of Personnel Management, the number of federal government employees has remained relatively stable over the last several decades. In 2019, there were approximately 2.8 million civilian federal employees, which is about the same number as in 1990.

Question 8

Polls show that Americans want __________ while also supporting __________.

Accepted Answer

Polls often reveal a paradox in public opinion where Americans express a desire for less overall government involvement or spending, yet when surveyed about specific programs (such as education, healthcare, social security, etc.), they tend to support them or oppose cuts. This reflects a complexity in public attitudes towards government spending and intervention.

Question 9

The __________ are considered to be line organizations, because they report directly to the president.

Accepted Answer

Cabinet departments are considered line organizations because they have direct reporting lines to the president, reflecting their primary role in executing federal policies and providing leadership in their respective areas of responsibility.

Question 10

The monopolistic model of bureaucracy states that

Accepted Answer

The answer of The monopolistic model of bureaucracy states that
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Question 11

The belief that bureaucracies have no competitors and no reason to make themselves more efficient best describes the __________ of bureaucracy, while the __________ predicts that bureaucrats will try to "sell" their services by appealing to both Congress and public opinion.

Accepted Answer

The monopolistic model of bureaucracy suggests that bureaucracies, lacking competitors, have little incentive to improve efficiency. The acquisitive model, on the other hand, posits that bureaucrats actively seek to expand their agencies' budgets and influence by appealing to lawmakers and the public.

Question 12

What was the effect of Ronald Reagan's presidency on the federal bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Under Reagan, the elimination of revenue sharing caused government employment to fall.

Question 13

A model of bureaucracy in which bureaucrats are viewed as problem solving specialists, who use logic and reasoning is

Accepted Answer

The answer of A model of bureaucracy in which bureaucrats...

Question 14

The major cabinet departments of government were created

Accepted Answer

The major cabinet departments of the U.S. government were created through congressional legislation, allowing Congress to establish and organize these departments to assist the President in governing and to manage specific areas of national policy.

Question 15

Cabinet departments are

Accepted Answer

Cabinet departments are established through legislation passed by Congress and thus are created by Congress. However, once established, they report directly to the president, who appoints the heads of these departments, subject to Senate confirmation.

Question 16

Government employment grew rapidly until

Accepted Answer

The election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 marked a shift towards conservative policies that prioritized smaller government and decreased government spending. One of his key initiatives was the reduction of government employment, which had grown rapidly in previous decades.

Question 17

A bureaucrat who tries to expand his or her budget is best explained by the __________ of bureaucracy, while one who uses logic and reasoning to solve problems within an organized hierarchy is best explained by the __________.

Accepted Answer

The acquisitive model of bureaucracy suggests that bureaucrats tend to seek to expand their budgets and resources to increase their power within the organization, while the Weberian model, based on the theories of Max Weber, emphasizes a structured and rational approach to organization and decision-making within a hierarchy.

Question 18

What can be said regarding the structure of a bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracies are characterized by a hierarchical structure, where authority and responsibility are clearly defined and follow a top-down approach. This structure ensures order, enhances efficiency, and clarifies roles within the organization.

Question 19

The acquisitive model of bureaucracy holds that

Accepted Answer

The acquisitive model of bureaucracy emphasizes on the expansion of the budget and staff of a bureaucracy. It suggests that bureaucrats and agencies will naturally seek to expand and acquire more resources and power, which can lead to problems such as inefficiency and waste. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. The other options are related to different models of bureaucracy.

Question 20

Parts of government that are directly accountable to the president are called

Accepted Answer

Line organizations are directly accountable to the president and include departments such as the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Justice. Independent regulatory agencies, Weberian bureaucratic units, and government corporations have some level of independence from the president and monopolistic bureaucratic units do not exist in the traditional sense in the United States government.

Quiz 11: The Executive Branch