AP US Government &
Politics [CHAPTER 15, THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY]
Learning Objectives:
After studying Chapter 15, you should be able to:
1. Describe the bureaucrats—who they are, how they got there, and what they
do.
2. Discuss how the federal bureaucracy is organized.
3. Explain how bureaucracies function as implementers of public policy.
4. Explain how bureaucracies function as regulators.
5. Evaluate the problem of controlling bureaucracies in a democratic
government and how bureaucracies affect the scope of government.
The following exercises will help you meet these objectives:
Objective 1: Describe the bureaucrats—who they are, how they got there, and what
they do.
1. List five elements of the Weberian model of bureaucracy.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2. List four prevalent myths about bureaucracy.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. What is the difference between patronage and the merit principle?
Patronage
Merit Principle
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4. What is the purpose of the Hatch Act?
5. What are some of the common characteristics of plum book appointees?
Objective 2: Discuss how the federal bureaucracy is organized.
1. What are the four basic types of agencies in the federal executive branch?
1.
2.
3.
4.
2. Explain the relationship between interest groups and independent
regulatory agencies.
3. In what two ways are government corporations like private corporations
and different from other parts of the government?
1.
2.
4. What are the three biggest independent executive agencies?
1.
2.
3.
AP US Government &
Politics [CHAPTER 15, THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY]
Objective 3: Explain how bureaucracies function as implementers of public policy.
1. What are the three minimum elements of implementation?
1.
2.
3.
2. List six reasons why policy implementation might fail.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
3. What are three advantages of using standard operating procedures?
1.
2.
3.
4. What is meant by administrative discretion? Give an example.
Objective 4: Explain how bureaucracies function as regulators.
1. What is the significance of Munn v. Illinois (1877)?
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2. List three elements common to all regulation.
1.
2.
3.
3. What is the difference between command-and-control policy and incentive
system?
Command-and-Control:
Incentive:
4. List three criticisms of regulation.
1.
2.
3.
Objective 5: Evaluate the problem of controlling bureaucracies in a democratic
government and how bureaucracies affect the scope of government.
1. List four methods in which the president can control the bureaucracy.
1.
2.
3.
4.
2. List four methods in which Congress can control the bureaucracy.
1.
2.
AP US Government &
Politics [CHAPTER 15, THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY]
3.
4.
3. Explain the difference between an iron triangle and an issue network.
Iron Triangle:
Issue Network:
4. What effect does bureaucracy have on the scope of government?
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. How does one become a bureaucrat? What myths surround the bureaucracy
in the United States?
2. Compare and contrast the different theories of bureaucracy. Which one do
you believe best reflects reality?
3. How is the United States bureaucracy organized? What policymaking roles
to the different federal executive agencies play?
4. What is policy implementation and what are its main features? What factors
facilitate and what factors hinder successful implementation of a public
policy? Use specific examples of implantation to illustrate your points.
5. What is needed for an agency to perform its regulatory role? What are the
pros and cons of deregulation?
6. How does politics permeate bureaucracies? What factors make it difficult to
control bureaucracies? What methods are available to the president and
Congress to control bureaucracies?
7. What is the role of bureaucracies in the federal system? Is the federal
bureaucracy too big? What are the pros and cons of a large bureaucracy?
MAKE SURE YOU CAN IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE ALL THE KEY TERMS LISTED AT
THE END OF THE CHAPTER!
Grinnell 2011-2012