Question 1

The MOST visible indication of oversight is the

Accepted Answer

Public hearings before congressional committees and subcommittees are the most visible indication of oversight. These hearings are often televised and covered extensively by the media, making them accessible to the public and providing a platform for stakeholders to voice their concerns about government policies and actions. They also serve as a way for Congress to hold the executive branch accountable for its actions and ensure that government agencies are operating within the bounds of the law. The other options listed may also be indicators of oversight, but they are not as visible or widely recognized by the public.

Question 2

Describe the challenge of bureaucratic accountability.What is oversight and how does congressional action shape bureaucratic responsibility? How has the type of oversight in which Congress engages changed over time and in response to political condition? What are some possible ways in which the president can gain more control of the bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the challenge of bureaucratic accountability.What is...

Question 3

The different agencies of the executive branch can be grouped according to the different kinds of services they provide.Describe the three main categories of agencies.What kinds of services do they provide? Give some examples of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The different agencies of the executive branch...

Question 4

Describe the organizational structure and composition of the federal bureaucracy.Specifically, what are the differences between departments, agencies, and bureaus, and what are the lines of authority within the executive branch? How representative is the federal bureaucracy of the American public, how is it staffed, and how has this changed since the nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the organizational structure and composition of...

Question 5

If the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a regularly scheduled hearing to receive updates on the implementation of health care laws by the Department of
Health and Human Services, it would be an example of ________ oversight.

Accepted Answer

Police patrol oversight refers to the regular monitoring and evaluation of government agencies' activities to ensure they comply with laws and regulations. In this case, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is holding a regularly scheduled hearing to receive updates on the Department of Health and Human Services' implementation of health care laws, indicating police patrol oversight.

Question 6

The phrase double government refers to the

Accepted Answer

The phrase double government suggests that there are two distinct levels of power in a government - the elected officials and the bureaucrats. The elected officials are accountable to the people, while bureaucrats are not. Therefore, bureaucrats may pursue policies of their own preference without democratic or political control, leading to a double government.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about congressional oversight of the bureaucracy is MOST accurate?

Accepted Answer

While oversight hearings have increased over time as the bureaucracy has expanded, the extent of oversight does vary depending on which party controls the White House. The party out of power in the White House generally conducts more aggressive oversight of the executive branch.

Question 8

Although they are often unpopular with the public and there are many complaints that government is too large, bureaucracies perform important functions for government.Describe the four main functions of bureaucracy and provide some examples of each.How has the size of the federal bureaucracy changed over the last 50 years?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although they are often unpopular with the...

Question 9

Describe and evaluate the three key strategies politicians have used to promote reform in the federal bureaucracy.What are some of the challenges associated with each different approach? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe and evaluate the three key strategies...

Question 10

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 was significant because it

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 was the first major revamping of the federal civil service since its creation in 1883. It aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal workforce by establishing merit-based systems for hiring and promoting employees, and protecting these employees from political interference in their jobs. It did not reinstate the spoils system, which had been abolished by the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.

Question 11

When the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee launched a 2016 inquiry into a sudden 500-percent price hike in EpiPens (which are used to treat severe allergic reactions),
It was an example of ________ oversight.

Accepted Answer

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's inquiry into the price hike of EpiPens is an example of fire alarm oversight. Fire alarm oversight occurs when oversight occurs only after a problem or crisis arises, as opposed to proactive police patrol oversight.

Quiz 14: Bureaucracy in a Democracy