Bureaucracy
Definition
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
Analogy
Think of bureaucracy as a giant corporation. Just like how a corporation has different departments handling specific tasks (like HR, finance, marketing), a bureaucracy has various agencies and departments each responsible for specific functions or areas of public policy.
Related terms
Civil Service: The group of people whose job it is to carry out the work of the government, typically non-military and non-elected roles.
Administrative Discretion: The ability of bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement congressional or executive intentions.
Red Tape: Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business.
"Bureaucracy" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (20+)
- How does the bureaucracy typically interact with the legislative branch?
- What role does the bureaucracy in public policy at the federal level?
- Which of the following best describes the relationship between bureaucracy and interest groups?
- Which states how the bureaucracy is held accountable?
- What are the main functions of the bureaucracy in the U.S. government?
- How would you define a "bureaucracy" in terms of US politics?
- How many branches does a bureaucracy typically divide its functions into?
- What is the primary function of the bureaucracy in U.S. government?
- What is one possible outcome when Congress increases oversight of a bureaucracy?
- What typically occurs when a bureaucracy seeks to implement policy changes?
- Which of the following modern-day government practices can be traced back to the creation and development of the bureaucracy in the U.S.?
- How does bureaucracy's role in implementing public policy relate to Congress' legislative intent?
- How has the Freedom of Information Act helped hold the bureaucracy accountable in real-world political scenarios?
- How does judicial review ensure accountability within the bureaucracy?
- Which of following best describes how whistleblowing contributes toward keeping bureaucracy accountable?
- How does due process lend towards keeping bureaucracy accountable?
- What is the primary method used by Congress to hold the bureaucracy accountable?
- What is a key means by which the judiciary holds the bureaucracy accountable?
- What tool does Congress use to hold the bureaucracy accountable by examining its activities thoroughly?
- What is a primary way for citizens to hold bureaucracy accountable?
Resources
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