GOVT 220: The Bureaucracy Actual
study set with Questions and
correct/verified Answers
bureaucracy - ANSWER-A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.
government by proxy - ANSWER-Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to
staff and administer federal programs.
laissez-faire - ANSWER-An economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with
commerce.
discretionary authority - ANSWER-The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of
action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws.
competitive service - ANSWER-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.
name-request job - ANSWER-A job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified.
iron triangle - ANSWER-A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an
interest group.
issue network - ANSWER-A network of people in Washington, D.C.- interest groups, on congressional
staffs, in universities and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public
policies.
Authorization legislation - ANSWER-Legislative permission to begin or continue a government program
or agency.
appropriation - ANSWER-A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.
Trust funds - ANSWER-Funds for government programs collected and spent outside the regular
government budget.
committee clearance - ANSWER-The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain
agency decisions in advance and without passing a law.
legislative veto - ANSWER-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.
Red tape - ANSWER-Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something
done.
study set with Questions and
correct/verified Answers
bureaucracy - ANSWER-A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.
government by proxy - ANSWER-Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to
staff and administer federal programs.
laissez-faire - ANSWER-An economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with
commerce.
discretionary authority - ANSWER-The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of
action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws.
competitive service - ANSWER-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.
name-request job - ANSWER-A job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified.
iron triangle - ANSWER-A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an
interest group.
issue network - ANSWER-A network of people in Washington, D.C.- interest groups, on congressional
staffs, in universities and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public
policies.
Authorization legislation - ANSWER-Legislative permission to begin or continue a government program
or agency.
appropriation - ANSWER-A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.
Trust funds - ANSWER-Funds for government programs collected and spent outside the regular
government budget.
committee clearance - ANSWER-The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain
agency decisions in advance and without passing a law.
legislative veto - ANSWER-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.
Red tape - ANSWER-Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something
done.
