Question 1

Among the first cabinet departments created was the Department of
A) Agriculture.
B) Interior.
C) State.
D) Justice.
E) Transportation.

Accepted Answer

The Department of State is one of the first cabinet departments established in the United States, created in 1789 to handle the country's foreign affairs.

Question 2

Which of the following phrases best characterizes government bureaucracy in the United States in comparison with that of other Western democracies?
A) fragmented organization and divided control at the top
B) few legislative regulations over governmental bureaucracies
C) orderly and coherent bureaucratic structure
D) high positions in the bureaucracy awarded to career civil servants
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The United States government bureaucracy is characterized by a fragmented organization and divided control at the top, with multiple agencies and departments having overlapping responsibilities and limited coordination between them. This is in contrast to many other Western democracies with a more centralized and coherent bureaucratic structure. Legislative regulations over governmental bureaucracies vary in different countries and cannot be used as a characterizing factor. While high positions in the bureaucracy may be awarded to career civil servants, this is not a defining feature that distinguishes the US bureaucracy from others.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the administrative units of the federal bureaucracy?
A) departments
B) agencies
C) foundations
D) congressional committees
E) bureaus

Accepted Answer

Congressional committees are not part of the federal bureaucracy, as they are part of the legislative branch of government. The administrative units of the federal bureaucracy include departments, agencies, bureaus, and other similar organizations tasked with implementing and enforcing the policies and programs of the executive branch. Foundations typically refer to nonprofit organizations that are not part of the federal government.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true about the Constitution and federal bureaucracy?
A)The Constitution neither specifies the number and kinds of departments to be established nor describes other bureaucratic agencies.
B) The Constitution is clear that the number of federal departments must be created in proportion to the overall population of the United States.
C) The Constitution is clear that the number of federal departments must be created relative to the different populations of the several states.
D) The framers did not intend to leave questions about the bureaucracy to the discretion of the executive and legislative branches of government.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The Constitution only establishes the three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) and outlines their powers and responsibilities. It does not mention specific departments or bureaucratic agencies, leaving those decisions to be made by the executive and legislative branches.

Question 5

Which of the following could be described as a hybrid between a public and private organization?
A) government corporations
B) federal agencies
C) independent executive agencies
D) independent regulatory commissions
E) quasi-governmental organizations

Accepted Answer

Quasi-governmental organizations are entities that have attributes of both public and private organizations. They are created and funded by the government, but they operate independently of direct government control and have more flexibility in their operations. Examples of quasi-governmental organizations include the United States Postal Service and Amtrak.

Question 6

Americans tend to
A) look favorably on the executive branch bureaucracy.
B) be mistrustful of the bureaucracy.
C) award high prestige to government bureaucrats.
D) believe the public sector can do better than the private sector.
E) lead bureaucratic decision making.

Accepted Answer

According to various studies and surveys, Americans tend to be mistrustful of the bureaucracy and believe it is inefficient, wasteful, and unresponsive to their needs. This tendency has been historically present in American politics, and it often leads to calls for downsizing, reforming, or restructuring government agencies and programs. While there might be variations in the degree and intensity of this mistrust depending on the political context and the specific issue at hand, the general trend is to view the bureaucracy with skepticism and criticism.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) American civil servants do not enjoy the high status of the civil servants in Western European nations.
B) The status of American civil servants varies significantly over time.
C) Compared to Western European nations, American civil servants enjoy high status.
D) The American bureaucracy, like the private sector, is viewed very positively by most Americans.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

This statement is true as civil servants in Western Europe enjoy a higher status than American civil servants.

Question 8

The federal bureaucracy has____ boss(es) according to your text?
A) one
B) two
C) three
D) many
E) zero

Accepted Answer

The answer of The federal bureaucracy has____ boss(es) according to...

Question 9

Which of the following is a reason why civil service is not as valued in the United States as it is in other countries?
A) Civil servants enjoy much less prestige in the United States than in other countries.
B) The federal civil service is not very diverse.
C) The civil service exams for federal positions are extremely difficult.
D) Unlike other democracies, the highest policymaking positions require an extensive education background to be hired.
E) In the United States, there is very little legislative oversight, so civil servants have less guidance about how to do their jobs.

Accepted Answer

One reason civil service is not as valued in the United States as it is in other countries is that civil servants enjoy much less prestige in the United States than in other countries. In some countries, being a civil servant is seen as a very prestigious job, but in the United States, civil service is often viewed as a less desirable career option.

Question 10

According to the authors of Struggle for Democracy, many of the most talented people in our society tend to stay away from working for government because civil
A) service exams are too hard.
B) servants have so little prestige.
C) servants are required to have advanced degrees.
D) servants receive few benefits.
E) servants receive inadequate pay for their jobs.

Accepted Answer

The authors of "Struggle for Democracy" suggest that many talented individuals avoid government work due to the low prestige associated with being a civil servant.

Question 11

The American bureaucracy
A) is characterized by clear lines of control, responsibility, and accountability.
B) faces fewer statutory restrictions and less legislative control than bureaucracies in other democratic countries.
C) does not take the standard pyramidal form, as it does in other democratic countries.
D) is more completely dominated by executive influence than is true of bureaucracies in other democratic nations.
E) is staffed mostly by patronage, not merit-based positions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The American bureaucracy
A) is characterized by clear...

Question 12

Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) No new executive departments have been formed since 1936.
B) The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation were formed in the 1980s.
C) Most departments are formed either to signal a new national commitment or cement political alliances.
D) Most executive departments are formed in response to major foreign policy crises.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Most departments are indeed formed either to signal a new national commitment or to cement political alliances. This reflects the government's response to emerging societal needs or political strategies, rather than being predominantly driven by foreign policy crises.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) Americans tend to be more cynical about government bureaucracy than are the French, British, and Germans.
B) American governmental bureaucracy has more leeway than its European counterparts.
C) High positions in the American bureaucracy have more job security than European counterparts.
D) American governmental bureaucracies have only one boss, something that is uncommon in European bureaucracies.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Americans generally exhibit a higher level of cynicism towards government bureaucracy compared to citizens in France, Britain, and Germany. This attitude reflects cultural and historical differences in governance and public administration between the United States and these European countries.

Question 14

Divided control of the federal bureaucracy between Congress and the president has what effect?
A) The executive branch responds almost solely to the president.
B) The courts dominate the executive branch.
C) The executive branch continues to grow rapidly and almost uncontrollably.
D) The executive branch is haphazardly organized.
E) The executive branch is clearly centralized.

Accepted Answer

The executive branch is haphazardly organized because divided control between Congress and the president means that no single entity has complete authority over the bureaucracy. This can lead to a lack of coordination and efficiency, as well as a proliferation of agencies and departments with overlapping responsibilities.

Question 15

American's opinions toward the bureaucracy are best described as
A) viewing the bureaucracy in a primarily favorable light.
B) viewing the bureaucracy with mistrust.
C) granting high prestige to government bureaucrats.
D) believing the public sector can do better than the private sector.
E) knowing that federal bureaucrats make the best decisions in a complex environment.

Accepted Answer

Americans generally view the bureaucracy with suspicion and mistrust, often seeing it as inefficient, unresponsive, and overly bureaucratic. This view is often reinforced by media coverage of bureaucratic failures and scandals, as well as political rhetoric that emphasizes the need to cut bureaucratic waste and red tape.

Question 16

Federal departments are headed by
A) cabinet-level secretaries.
B) members of the White House Office.
C) counselors.
D) Ministers.
E) congressional committee chairs.

Accepted Answer

Federal departments are headed by cabinet-level secretaries who are appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate. Cabinet-level secretaries are responsible for managing their respective departments and implementing the President's policies within their department.

Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

Question 17

What two bosses do federal bureaucratic agencies have?
A) the courts and Congress
B) the president and the courts
C) the president and Congress
D) the president and the media
E) Congress and the media

Accepted Answer

Federal bureaucratic agencies have two bosses: the president and Congress. The president is responsible for appointing agency heads and providing policy guidance, while Congress has oversight powers and approves agency budgets. While the courts may review agency decisions, they are not considered bosses of bureaucratic agencies. The media also does not have any formal authority over these agencies.

Question 18

Which of the following could be described as reporting directly to the president rather than to a department- or cabinet-level secretary?
A)government corporations
B) federal agencies
C) independent executive agencies
D) independent regulatory commissions
E) policy bureaus

Accepted Answer

Independent executive agencies have administrators who report directly to the president rather than to a cabinet-level secretary.

Question 19

Which of the following could be described as being responsible for regulating sectors of the economy in which it is judged that the free market does not work properly to protect the public interest?
A) government corporations
B) federal agencies
C) independent executive agencies
D) independent regulatory commissions
E) quasi-governmental organizations

Accepted Answer

Independent regulatory commissions are specifically tasked with regulating sectors of the economy where the free market is not sufficient to protect the public interest, such as industries with natural monopolies or high potential for negative externalities. Examples include the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Government corporations, federal agencies, independent executive agencies, and quasi-governmental organizations may also have regulatory functions, but they are not specifically designed to regulate market failures.

Question 20

The highest policymaking positions in the U.S. executive branch
A)are closed to civil servants.
B) require merit exams.
C) are filled with people with elite educations.
D) are filled with long-term appointees.
E) are elected.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The highest policymaking positions in the U.S....

Quiz 13: The Executive Branch

Among the first cabinet departments created was the Department of

Which of the following phrases best characterizes government bureaucracy in the United States in comparison with that of other Western democracies?

Which of the following is NOT one of the administrative units of the federal bureaucracy?

Which of the following statements is true about the Constitution and federal bureaucracy?

Which of the following could be described as a hybrid between a public and private organization?

Americans tend to

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

The federal bureaucracy has____ boss(es) according to your text?

Which of the following is a reason why civil service is not as valued in the United States as it is in other countries?

According to the authors of Struggle for Democracy, many of the most talented people in our society tend to stay away from working for government because civil

The American bureaucracy

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Divided control of the federal bureaucracy between Congress and the president has what effect?

American's opinions toward the bureaucracy are best described as

Federal departments are headed by

What two bosses do federal bureaucratic agencies have?

Which of the following could be described as reporting directly to the president rather than to a department- or cabinet-level secretary?

Which of the following could be described as being responsible for regulating sectors of the economy in which it is judged that the free market does not work properly to protect the public interest?

The highest policymaking positions in the U.S. executive branch