Government By The People 17Th: Ch. 17

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The Bureaucracy

Back 1

Large private or public organizations that are hierarchical in structure, provide each employee w/ clearly defined responsibility, base actions and decisions on impersonal rules, and hire and promote employees based on skills and training.

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Bureaucrats

Back 2

Career government employee, normally one who gains office by appointment rather than election.

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bureaucracy

Back 3

Large private or public organizations that are hierarchical in structure, provide each employee w/ clearly defined responsibility, base actions and decisions on impersonal rules, and hire and promote employees based on skills and training.

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spoils system

Back 4

Rewarding those who support victorious candidates w/ profitable or jobs in the government; in the 19th century often an important incentive for political participation.

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merit system

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A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than on political patronage.

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government corporations

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Cross between a business corporation and a government agency, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.

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independent agencies

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A government agency that is not part of the legislature, executive or judicial branch. The term also describes a nonregulatory agency that is not part of a cabinet department. Member s of a regulatory agencies are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and removable only for some specific "cause". Also called and Independent regulatory agency.

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Independent Regulatory Board or Commission

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Set up by Congress deliberately to keep these boards somewhat free from White House influence; the president nominates them and Congress confirms them, but the president can fire them.

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quasi-legislative

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Phrase coined by the Supreme Court to permit nonlegislative bodies to make rules. Rules must be w/ in the general guidelines established by the legislature.

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quasi-judicial

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Phrase coined by the Supreme Court to permit nonjudicial bodies to decide disputes. Decisions must however, be subject to court review.

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bureau

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Generally, the largest subunit of government department or agency.

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Hatch Act

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Federal statute barring federal employees from active participation in certain kinds of politics and protecting them from being fired on partisan grounds.

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Privatization

Back 13

The contracting out to the "for profit" private sector of services that are typically provided by public organizations. Trash collection, ambulance and fire protective services have been the most common privatization of public services. The objectives are to obtain the public services at lower costs, and sometimes to shrink the public bureaucracy to encourage additional efficiencies.