Chapter 15

Front 1

bureaucracy

Back 1

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.

Front 2

government by proxy

Back 2

Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to staff and administer federal programs.

Front 3

laissez-faire

Back 3

An economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce.

Front 4

discreationary authority

Back 4

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.

Front 5

competitive service

Back 5

The government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria.

Front 6

name-request job

Back 6

A job that is filled by a person whom an agency has already identified.

Front 7

iron triangle

Back 7

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

Front 8

issue network

Back 8

A network of people in Washington, D.C.- based interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies.

Front 9

authorization legislation

Back 9

Legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency.

Front 10

appropriation

Back 10

A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.

Front 11

trust funds

Back 11

Funds for government programs that are collected and spent outside the regular government budget.

Front 12

committee clearance

Back 12

The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law.

Front 13

legislative veto

Back 13

The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power.

Front 14

red tape

Back 14

Complex bureaucracies riles and procedures that must be followed to get something done.