Question 1

The awarding of government jobs to political supporters is called

Accepted Answer

The spoils system refers to the practice of a political party giving public office to its supporters after winning an election. This term was derived from the phrase "to the victor belong the spoils."

Question 2

When a bank fails, the government protects customers by

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a bank fails, the government protects...

Question 3

As a consequence of the Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993, federal employees can do all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993 allows federal employees to engage in a variety of political activities but restricts them from running for office in partisan elections to maintain the neutrality of the federal workforce.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true about government corporations?

Accepted Answer

Government corporations do not usually have any stockholders as they are owned by the government and do not issue stock.

Question 5

The spoils system of bureaucratic appointments was first implemented by

Accepted Answer

The spoils system, also known as the patronage system, was first implemented by President Andrew Jackson in the 1820s. It was a system in which political supporters were rewarded with government jobs, regardless of their qualifications, in exchange for their loyalty and work on behalf of the president's campaign.

Question 6

When the industry that is being regulated gains control over the agency that is supposed to regulate it, the process is called

Accepted Answer

Capture refers to the phenomenon in which an agency created to regulate an industry ends up being controlled or heavily influenced by the industry being regulated. This can happen through various means, such as the industry providing financial or other incentives to agency employees, or by exerting pressure through lobbying or other channels. Cooption, collusion, and complacency are related concepts that can contribute to capture, but they are not specific to the regulatory context. Pork refers to government spending on pet projects or programs that benefit a specific constituency, and is not directly relevant to regulatory capture.

Question 7

To some extent, __________ combine the powers and functions of all three branches of government, in that they make, enforce, and resolve disputes over the rules. ​

Accepted Answer

Independent regulatory agencies have the unique role of making rules (legislative function), enforcing them (executive function), and adjudicating disputes (judicial function), thus combining aspects of all three branches of government.

Question 8

A(n) __________ is not part of a cabinet department, but still reports directly to the president, while a(n) __________ exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area.

Accepted Answer

An independent executive agency is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president, focusing on narrower sets of issues than departments. An independent regulatory agency exists outside the major departments, with the role of making and implementing rules within a specific area, and has independence from executive control.

Question 9

All of the following statements about political appointees are true EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Political appointees' major source of authority does not primarily come from the ease with which they can fire civil servants. In fact, firing civil servants often involves a complex process due to the protections in place for career employees. Political appointees typically derive their authority from their appointed position and the backing of the administration they serve.

Question 10

A business created by the federal government itself, which then sells part or all of the corporation's stock to private investors is a

Accepted Answer

Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are financial services corporations created by the United States Congress to enhance the flow of credit to targeted sectors of the economy. They are privately held but receive financial privileges from the government.

Question 11

The merit system refers to

Accepted Answer

The merit system is a process of selecting and promoting government employees based on their performance and qualifications through a competitive examination process. This system ensures that employees are selected based on their skills and abilities rather than their political affiliations or personal connections. It was introduced in the United States with the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.

Question 12

Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the FDIC are examples of

Accepted Answer

Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the FDIC are all government corporations, which are created by Congress to perform specific governmental functions and operate like private businesses. They are distinct from cabinet departments, independent executive agencies, independent regulatory agencies, and private corporations.

Question 13

The Federal Communications Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are examples of

Accepted Answer

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are examples of independent regulatory agencies. These agencies are created by Congress to enforce and interpret federal laws through rules and regulations, and they operate independently of the executive departments.

Question 14

The Pendleton Act

Accepted Answer

The Pendleton Act established the principle of employment on the basis of open competitive examinations, thereby creating a merit system for federal civil service positions.

Question 15

All of the following statements about the civil service are true EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The reform of the civil service began before President Jimmy Carter, with significant legislation such as the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 marking the start of formal reforms. President Carter did enact further reforms, but they were not the first.

Question 16

The Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration, and the Smithsonian Institution are examples of

Accepted Answer

These three entities are independent executive agencies, which are agencies that exist outside of the Cabinet departments and have a narrower focus on a specific issue or group of issues.

Question 17

It is difficult to change the bureaucracy because

Accepted Answer

The difficulty in firing civil servants due to a lengthy appeals process contributes to the challenge of changing the bureaucracy. This process is designed to protect employees from arbitrary dismissal, but it can also make it hard to enact reforms or changes within the system.

Question 18

Independent executive agencies are

Accepted Answer

Independent executive agencies are federal agencies that are not part of cabinet departments, but report directly to the president. Examples include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These agencies are created by Congress to perform specific tasks, but they have more flexibility in their operations than cabinet departments.

Question 19

An independent regulatory agency exists ____________ and is responsible for creating rules and regulations _______________.

Accepted Answer

Independent regulatory agencies are established outside of the executive departments and are tasked with creating rules and regulations within specific policy areas they oversee.

Question 20

The Hatch Act, adopted by Congress in 1939, was created to

Accepted Answer

The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from active involvement in political campaigns and is intended to prevent federal employees from using their official authority to influence elections.

Quiz 11: The Executive Branch

The awarding of government jobs to political supporters is called

When a bank fails, the government protects customers by

As a consequence of the Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993, federal employees can do all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following statements is true about government corporations?

The spoils system of bureaucratic appointments was first implemented by

When the industry that is being regulated gains control over the agency that is supposed to regulate it, the process is called

To some extent, __________ combine the powers and functions of all three branches of government, in that they make, enforce, and resolve disputes over the rules.

A(n) is not part of a cabinet department, but still reports directly to the president, while a(n) exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area.

All of the following statements about political appointees are true EXCEPT

A business created by the federal government itself, which then sells part or all of the corporation's stock to private investors is a

The merit system refers to

Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the FDIC are examples of

The Federal Communications Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are examples of

The Pendleton Act

All of the following statements about the civil service are true EXCEPT

The Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration, and the Smithsonian Institution are examples of

It is difficult to change the bureaucracy because

Independent executive agencies are

An independent regulatory agency exists and is responsible for creating rules and regulations ___.

The Hatch Act, adopted by Congress in 1939, was created to

Quiz 11: The Executive Branch

The awarding of government jobs to political supporters is called

When a bank fails, the government protects customers by

As a consequence of the Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993, federal employees can do all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following statements is true about government corporations?

The spoils system of bureaucratic appointments was first implemented by

When the industry that is being regulated gains control over the agency that is supposed to regulate it, the process is called

To some extent, __________ combine the powers and functions of all three branches of government, in that they make, enforce, and resolve disputes over the rules. ​

A(n) __________ is not part of a cabinet department, but still reports directly to the president, while a(n) __________ exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area.

All of the following statements about political appointees are true EXCEPT

A business created by the federal government itself, which then sells part or all of the corporation's stock to private investors is a

The merit system refers to

Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the FDIC are examples of

The Federal Communications Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are examples of

The Pendleton Act

All of the following statements about the civil service are true EXCEPT

The Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration, and the Smithsonian Institution are examples of

It is difficult to change the bureaucracy because

Independent executive agencies are

An independent regulatory agency exists ____________ and is responsible for creating rules and regulations _______________.

The Hatch Act, adopted by Congress in 1939, was created to

To some extent, __________ combine the powers and functions of all three branches of government, in that they make, enforce, and resolve disputes over the rules.

A(n) is not part of a cabinet department, but still reports directly to the president, while a(n) exists outside the major departments and is tasked with making and implementing rules within a specific area.

An independent regulatory agency exists and is responsible for creating rules and regulations ___.