Question 1

What is the bureaucracy's role in government?

Accepted Answer

The primary role of the bureaucracy in government is to implement policies that have been formulated and passed by the legislative and executive branches.

Question 2

Which term refers to the practice of making decisions about the distribution of public resources based on friendship, family, loyalty, or in exchange for benefits of other sorts?

Accepted Answer

Patronage refers to the practice of distributing public resources or making decisions based on personal relationships, loyalty, or in exchange for benefits, often seen in political contexts.

Question 3

Which term refers to hiring and promotion decisions based on attributes deemed relevant to competent performance of a job?

Accepted Answer

The merit principle refers to hiring and promotion decisions based on attributes such as skills, knowledge, and abilities that are relevant to competent performance of a job.

Question 4

When was the merit principle adopted?

Accepted Answer

The passage of the Civil Service Amendment Act, 1908, established the merit principle in the Canadian federal public service.

Question 5

Which of the following is true about the politics-administration dichotomy?

Accepted Answer

The politics-administration dichotomy suggests that elected officials make policy decisions, while administrators implement them without personal bias. This concept was significant in progressive thought about governance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Question 6

Which of the following is not an act passed in relation to the Canadian administrative state?

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Commission Act is not a recognized act in relation to the Canadian administrative state. The other options are related to the Canadian public service and its administration.

Question 7

What did the Supreme Court rule in Fraser v Public Service Staff Relations Board?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court ruled that public servants should be allowed non-job-related criticism of government policy, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression.

Question 8

What rights did the claimant (and others) argue were infringed in Osborne v. Canada (Treasury Board)?

Accepted Answer

The claimants in Osborne v. Canada argued that their rights to free speech and freedom of association were infringed by restrictions on political activities for public servants.

Question 9

In Haydon v. Canada (Treasury Board), how could the claimant have been engaged in "whistleblowing"?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D because the claimant brought public attention to government actions or policies she believed endangered public health or safety, based on her careful examination of the facts. This is an example of whistleblowing because the claimant was exposing potential wrongdoing or danger to the public.

Question 10

What is the dichotomy to be considered for all civil servants accused of "whistleblowing"?

Accepted Answer

The dichotomy for civil servants accused of whistleblowing is between their right to free speech and their duty of loyalty to their employer or government.

Question 11

Which term refers to a state that is active in attempting to shape society and influence its direction?

Accepted Answer

The term "positive state" refers to a state that actively seeks to shape society and influence its direction, often through interventionist policies and programs.

Question 12

The 1970s marked the beginning of what some social and political commentators, particularly on the left, began to call what?

Accepted Answer

The 1970s were characterized by economic challenges, political turmoil, and social changes, leading commentators to describe this period as a "crisis of the state," reflecting the perceived inability of governments to effectively manage these issues.

Question 13

To which of the following did the crisis of the state refer?

Accepted Answer

The crisis of the state refers to the challenges governments faced in financing welfare state policies that had been established over the previous decades, often due to economic constraints or political unwillingness.

Question 14

Which of the following is not true about the Keynesian consensus?

Accepted Answer

The Keynesian consensus is related to government spending and deficits, as it advocates for fiscal policy measures, including deficit spending, to manage economic cycles.

Question 15

Which of the following is the accumulation of government spending deficits over two or more years?

Accepted Answer

Debt is the accumulation of government spending deficits over time.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about representative bureaucracy in democratic societies?

Accepted Answer

Representative bureaucracy aims to ensure that the bureaucracy reflects the demographic characteristics of the society it serves, which can enhance its legitimacy and is often achieved through measures like affirmative action.

Question 17

Which of the following was the most important source of state revenue for all government levels in recent years?

Accepted Answer

Personal income tax has been a major source of revenue for governments at various levels, often surpassing other forms of taxation in terms of revenue generated.

Question 18

As of 2019, how many people did the federal public sector employ?

Accepted Answer

As of 2019, the federal public sector in Canada employed approximately 530,000 people.

Question 19

Which of the following is not true about the Broadcasting Act?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not true...

Question 20

Which of the following is true about the practice of patronage?

Accepted Answer

Patronage involves appointing individuals to positions based on political favoritism rather than merit. While it may be permissible in some political offices like the PMO, it is generally considered inappropriate for awarding government contracts or appointing individuals to the bureaucracy, courts, military, and RCMP.

Quiz 9: The Administrative State