Question 1

Americans believe that the private sector can usually do a better job than the bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

This is a commonly held belief in American culture, often referred to as the "free market" ideology.

Question 2

Bureaucracy is a term for a form of organization characterized by a hierarchical set of offices, each with a specific task, controlled through a clear chain of command, and where appointment and advancement of personnel is based on merit.

Accepted Answer

This definition accurately describes bureaucracy.

Question 3

Ronald Reagan famously declared that the era of big government is over.

Accepted Answer

It was Bill Clinton, not Ronald Reagan, who famously declared "the era of big government is over" in his 1996 State of the Union address.

Question 4

The United States' model of divided control of the bureaucracy is common to most other democracies.

Accepted Answer

The United States' model of divided control of the bureaucracy is actually less common in other democracies, where the executive branch usually has more control over the bureaucracy.

Question 5

The nature and functioning of bureaucracy is basically the same worldwide.

Accepted Answer

The nature and functioning of bureaucracy can vary significantly between countries due to differences in cultural, legal, and political contexts. Additionally, the size and scope of bureaucracies can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the government and its functions.

Question 6

One of the major tasks of bureaucrats is to write the rules required to implement public policies passed by Congress.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucrats are responsible for implementing public policies that have been passed by Congress. One of their key tasks is to write the rules and regulations necessary to carry out these policies. These rules often provide specific guidance on how programs should be administered, how funds should be allocated, and how compliance should be monitored. Bureaucrats also play a role in interpreting and enforcing these rules, ensuring that they are applied consistently and fairly across different agencies and programs.

Question 7

What is meant by "red tape" in the bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

"Red tape" refers to the bureaucratic procedures, rules, and paperwork that can be time-consuming and complicated to navigate. It can slow down processes and be seen as a barrier to efficiency.

Question 8

Deregulatory rhetoric often helps federal agencies, like the Consumer Product Safety Board, do their jobs.

Accepted Answer

Deregulatory rhetoric often undermines the mission and effectiveness of federal agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Board, by promoting a culture of lax enforcement and decreased oversight.

Question 9

A whistleblower is

Accepted Answer

A whistleblower is someone who exposes wrongdoing or illegal activity within an organization, often a government agency. This person is typically an insider who reports such activity to authorities or the public. Choice A correctly identifies a whistleblower as someone who reports abuses of power, corruption, financial mismanagement, or other official malfeasance, making it the most appropriate answer.

Question 10

President Clinton turned over the responsibility of reforming the federal bureaucracy to Vice-President Al Gore. Based on an influential book by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler, this process is generally called ________ government.

Accepted Answer

The influential book by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler that inspired the reforms undertaken by Vice-President Al Gore was titled "Reinventing Government," making choice B the best option. The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature or approach of the reforms undertaken during this period.

Question 11

A great deal of law is made by bureaucrats.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucrats, who are appointed officials in government agencies, often have the power to interpret and implement laws and regulations, as well as propose and draft new ones. This means that they play a significant role in the creation and implementation of laws, especially those related to specific policy areas that fall under their jurisdiction. Therefore, a great deal of law is made by bureaucrats.

Question 12

Bureaucracy in the United States is an organizational hodgepodge.

Accepted Answer

The bureaucracy in the United States is often criticized for its complexity and lack of coherence, with multiple overlapping agencies and departments at the federal, state, and local levels.

Question 13

"Getting government off our backs" refers to the burden of

Accepted Answer

The phrase "getting government off our backs" typically refers to reducing or eliminating the burden of government bureaucracy and regulations on individuals and businesses.

Question 14

People often associate bureaucracies with red tape and slow response times.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracies are often criticized for being overly bureaucratic, with slow response times and excessive paperwork.

Question 15

Primarily, the federal bureaucracy has grown in size over the years to meet a wide range of needs.

Accepted Answer

The federal bureaucracy has indeed grown in size over the years to accommodate the increasing demands and responsibilities placed on it. The bureaucracy now encompasses various agencies and departments that work to implement and enforce laws, regulations, and policies across a broad spectrum of areas, including national security, economic development, social welfare, and many others. This growth reflects the need for a larger and more complex government structure to address the challenges and complexities of modern society.

Question 16

In general, Americans think very highly of government. They trust government and feel that the bureaucracy is responsible for the best accomplishments of government.

Accepted Answer

Americans may have varying opinions about government and its accomplishments, and some may view the bureaucracy as hindering progress rather than enabling it.

Question 17

Given high levels of public prestige in the United States for civil servants, the bureaucracy is loaded with highly talented workers.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. While there are many talented workers in the bureaucracy, there is not necessarily a high level of public prestige for civil servants in the United States.

Question 18

The American federal bureaucracy is less restricted by the law than bureaucracies in other countries, giving relatively more flexibility and discretion to operate as a result.

Accepted Answer

The American federal bureaucracy is heavily regulated by laws, rules, and oversight mechanisms, which are designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to the principles of democracy. This often results in less flexibility and discretion compared to some other countries' bureaucracies.

Question 19

Departments are headed by cabinet-level secretaries.

Accepted Answer

Departments in the executive branch of the United States federal government are headed by cabinet-level secretaries, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Question 20

Which of the following strengthened requirements for financial disclosure by officials and prohibitions against conflicts of interest?

Accepted Answer

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 strengthened requirements for financial disclosure by officials and prohibitions against conflicts of interest. It established the Office of Government Ethics and required high-level officials to disclose their finances and divest from any potential conflicts of interest.

Quiz 13: The Executive Branch