The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing governmental policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system. One key characteristic of the merit system is hiring based on testing. For the structure of the federal bureaucracy, factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence are that it is large, there are specialized units, and it is based on merit. Within the complexity of public programs, factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence are the specialized units/expertise, and discretionary authority (because legislation lacks details, the bureaucracy can fill in the gaps). One Constitutional provision that Congress can use to check the bureaucracy is impeachment of executive officials, The Courts have judicial review and can declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional, and finally, Interest groups can use the first amendment to lobby, protest, media usage, and speech, and also litigation.
A) Describe one key characteristic of the merit system
B) For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence.
*The structure of the federal bureaucracy
*The complexity of public programs
C) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.
* Congress
*The Courts
*Interest groups
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_q2.pdf
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