Question 1

Since the 1950s, compared with the entire workforce, the number of federal employees has ________.

Accepted Answer

Since the 1950s, the number of federal employees has gradually declined as a proportion of the entire workforce, due to factors such as privatization, outsourcing, and technological advancements.

Question 2

By the 1980s, the average length of time it took to develop and implement an administrative rule was ________.

Accepted Answer

The text states that by the 1980s, the average length of time it took to develop and implement an administrative rule was 35-40 months.

Question 3

Under the administration of ________, EPA officials claimed that they did not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

Accepted Answer

The EPA officials claimed that they did not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the administration of George W. Bush. This led to controversy and legal challenges, with some arguing that the EPA did indeed have the authority to regulate these emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Question 4

At its peak in ________, the federal bureaucracy had ________ employees, not including military personnel.

Accepted Answer

According to the information provided, the peak of the federal bureaucracy was reached in 1968 with 3 million employees. Option A is too early for that peak, option C has the number of employees too low, option D is too late and option E has an exaggerated number of employees.

Question 5

Which of the following executive agencies was created by Congress in the aftermath of the financial crisis that began in 2008?

Accepted Answer

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created by Congress in 2010 as a response to the financial crisis that began in 2008. The CFPB is responsible for regulating consumer financial products and services.

Question 6

Public bureaucracies are powerful because

Accepted Answer

Public bureaucracies are powerful because they are delegated vast power by the people, legislatures, and chief executives to ensure that specific tasks are completed. These tasks can include enforcing laws and regulations, providing public services, and making decisions on behalf of the government. While bureaucracies are subject to some degree of oversight by elected officials, their delegated power and expertise in carrying out specific functions make them influential entities within government.

Question 7

What is a government corporation?

Accepted Answer

A government corporation is an agency that performs and charges for services that are usually provided by the private sector, but is owned and operated by the government. Examples include the US Postal Service and Amtrak. Unlike other government agencies, government corporations are expected to generate revenue and operate on a self-sustaining basis.

Question 8

What is an independent agency?

Accepted Answer

An independent agency is an executive branch organization that is established by Congress and has broad powers to provide a public service that is either too expensive or too important to be left to private companies. It is not part of a cabinet, nor is it a government corporation. Therefore, both options C and D are correct.

Question 9

The Civil Service Act of 1883 attempted to pattern government hiring after practices found in ________.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Act of 1883 aimed to make government hiring more professional and efficient by using competitive exams and standardized qualifications, which were already common practice in the business world.

Question 10

Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, how were government appointments handled?

Accepted Answer

Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, appointments to government positions were made as part of a spoils system, in which political supporters of the winning party were rewarded with government jobs. This system often led to corruption and inefficiency, as unqualified individuals were appointed solely based on their political connections.

Question 11

________ declared that "the era of big government is over" in 1996.

Accepted Answer

Bill Clinton made the statement "the era of big government is over" during his 1996 State of the Union address.

Question 12

________ is when bureaucrats attempt to translate laws into specific rules and actions.

Accepted Answer

Implementation is the process of putting laws into action by government agencies, whereby bureaucrats work to translate the laws into specific rules and actions. This involves designing and carrying out administrative procedures, applying rules to individual cases, and enforcing compliance with the law.

Question 13

Bureaucracy literally means ________.

Accepted Answer

The word "bureaucracy" is derived from the French word "bureau," which means desk or office. Thus, the literal meaning of bureaucracy is "rule by offices and desks."

Question 14

Civil servants were given legal protection against being fired without a show of cause in order to

Accepted Answer

Giving civil servants legal protection against being fired without cause was a key part of civil service reform efforts aimed at cleansing bureaucracy of political interference while upgrading performance. This protection allowed civil servants to focus on their jobs without fear of retribution for political reasons, and helped to professionalize the bureaucracy.

Question 15

What is the origin of most federal bureaus?

Accepted Answer

Congress has the power to create and fund federal agencies through legislation, which is the most common way that federal bureaus are created.

Question 16

Which of the following is an independent agency?

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent agency, which means it operates outside of the executive branch of the government and is not subject to the authority of the president. The other options listed are part of departments within the executive branch.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a type of federal agency?

Accepted Answer

The other options (public welfare, internal national security, economic security, and external national security) are all types of federal agencies. State and local oversight usually refers to the responsibilities of state and local governments, rather than federal agencies.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about annual federal outlays is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Federal spending as a percentage of gross domestic product has experienced significant ups and downs over time, with periods of increase and decrease. There have been times of increased spending, such as during wars and economic recessions, and times of decreased spending, such as during periods of economic growth and budget surpluses.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a major role of bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracies are responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, issuing rules and regulations, and promoting the public welfare. However, they do not have the power to pass laws, which is the role of the legislative branch of government.

Question 20

The ________ is the head of a cabinet department.

Accepted Answer

The head of a cabinet department is commonly referred to as the Secretary.

Quiz 14: Bureaucracy in a Democracy