Question 1

Elections have negligible effect on the conditions for employment of bureaucrats in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Elections have a significant effect on the conditions for employment of bureaucrats in the United States as new administrations usually bring in their own appointees and policies, which can result in changes to the workforce composition and work expectations.

Question 2

Through privatization,the government terminates its obligation to provide goods and services.

Accepted Answer

Through privatization, the government transfers the responsibility of providing goods and services from the public sector to the private sector, but it does not completely terminate its obligation to ensure that the goods and services are being provided in a safe and efficient manner. The government still has a regulatory and oversight role in the privatized sector.

Question 3

Each expansion of the national government into new policies and programs in the twentieth century was accompanied by a parallel restriction on the president's management authority.

Accepted Answer

In the twentieth century, as the national government expanded, so did the president's management authority. This can be seen with the growth of the executive branch, the development of the modern presidency, and the emergence of the president as a policymaker and agenda-setter. While there were moments of tension and conflict between the president and Congress over specific policies and programs, overall the trend was towards more presidential power and authority.

Question 4

The 1921 Budget and Accounting Act transferred agenda-setting power over the budget from the president to Congress.

Accepted Answer

The 1921 Budget and Accounting Act actually transferred agenda-setting power over the budget from Congress to the President, establishing the Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management and Budget) to assist in preparing a unified federal budget.

Question 5

Is a federal government bureaucracy necessary? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is a federal government bureaucracy necessary? Why...

Question 6

Police patrol oversight is more efficient than the fire-alarm variety given costs and the electoral incentives of members of Congress.

Accepted Answer

Police patrol oversight is generally considered less efficient than fire-alarm oversight because it is more resource-intensive and less reliant on external signals to identify issues. Fire-alarm oversight allows members of Congress to respond to problems signaled by constituents or interest groups, making it more cost-effective and aligned with their electoral incentives.

Question 7

The most powerful before-the-fact political weapon is the appointment power.

Accepted Answer

The appointment power allows the executive branch to fill key positions in government with individuals who will execute their policies and serve their agenda. This can greatly influence the direction and effectiveness of the government, making it a powerful political tool.

Question 8

The Department of State is an agency for internal security.

Accepted Answer

The Department of State is not an agency for internal security. It is primarily responsible for U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations with other countries.

Question 9

The agencies that collect taxes and handle money for the U.S.government are called pecuniary agencies.

Accepted Answer

The agencies that collect taxes and handle money for the U.S. government are actually called fiscal agencies, not pecuniary agencies. "Pecuniary" refers to relating to or consisting of money, but it is not specifically used to refer to government agencies.

Question 10

Despite attempts to control the growth of bureaucracy,the number of federal employees in the civil service has grown exponentially over the past 30 years.

Accepted Answer

While the federal government has grown in terms of its scope and budget over the years, the number of federal employees in the civil service has remained relatively stable due to efficiency measures, outsourcing, and automation. The growth in federal responsibilities has not translated into exponential growth in the number of civil servants.

Question 11

In August 1996,virtually all of the means-tested public assistance programs were abolished as a national program and were devolved to the states.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 abolished Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the federal program providing cash assistance to low-income families with children, and replaced it with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, which gave states more control over how to use the funds. Additionally, other means-tested public assistance programs such as food stamps and Medicaid were also devolved to the states.

Question 12

Clientele agencies are designed to serve the broad interests of the country.

Accepted Answer

Clientele agencies are designed to serve the specific interests of a particular group or industry, not the broad interests of the country as a whole.

Question 13

The federal service has not been growing any faster than the economy or the rest of society.

Accepted Answer

There is no evidence to suggest that the federal service has been growing faster than the economy or society as a whole. In fact, the opposite may be true as government employment has decreased in recent years.

Question 14

Policies focused on banks,credit,and currency are called fiscal policies.

Accepted Answer

Fiscal policies are actually policies related to government spending and taxation, while policies related to banks, credit, and currency are referred to as monetary policies.

Question 15

The single government agency responsible for all the programs making up the welfare state is the Department of Human Services.

Accepted Answer

The welfare state in the United States is made up of multiple programs, each of which falls under the jurisdiction of different government agencies. For example, Medicaid is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Department of Human Services does exist, but it mainly oversees programs related to child welfare, foster care, and adoption.

Question 16

The Department of Justice is an agency for internal security.

Accepted Answer

The Department of Justice is a federal agency responsible for enforcing the law and ensuring public safety through the investigation and prosecution of crimes, as well as the administration of justice and protection of the rights of citizens. It is therefore an agency for internal security.

Question 17

Privatization is a euphemism for "termination."

Accepted Answer

Privatization refers to transfer of ownership from the government to private entities/companies. It does not necessarily mean termination of the service. However, in some cases, privatization may result in job loss or reduction of services provided by the government.

Question 18

Bureaucratic drift might be contained if Congress spent more of its time on oversight activities and less of its time clarifying legislative intent.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bureaucratic drift might be contained if Congress...

Question 19

Generally,bureaucrats care about their missions.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucrats are typically dedicated to the mission or goals of their organization, as they are responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are followed in order to achieve these objectives.

Question 20

The only certain way to reduce the size of bureaucracy is to eliminate programs.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracy and government programs are often interconnected, and reducing the number of programs can lead to a reduction in bureaucracy. Simply trying to streamline or reorganize existing programs may not necessarily lead to a significant reduction in bureaucracy.

Quiz 7: The Executive Branch