The federal bureaucracy, policy-making process, and iron triangles as tested on AP US Government. Front: the term or concept. Back: a plain-language definition.
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- Bureaucracy
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A hierarchical organizational structure with specialized divisions and formal rules that implements public policy.- Federal bureaucracy
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The collection of executive agencies and departments that implement and enforce federal laws and policies.- Cabinet department
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A major executive department headed by a Secretary, created by Congress to manage a broad policy area such as Defense or State.- Independent agency
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A federal agency established by Congress that operates outside the cabinet system, reporting directly to the President.- Regulatory agency
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A federal agency with authority to create, enforce, and adjudicate rules in a specific policy area.- Iron triangle
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A three-way alliance between a federal agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group that shapes policy in their mutual interest.- Issue network
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A loose coalition of experts, interest groups, and government officials who share concern about a policy issue and influence each other.- Bureaucratic discretion
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The authority of bureaucratic officials to make decisions and interpret laws within the boundaries set by statute and the courts.- Rule-making
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The process by which a regulatory agency creates binding regulations that have the force of law.- Administrative procedure
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The formal process that federal agencies must follow when making rules, including notice, public comment, and publication.- Adjudication
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The bureaucratic process of hearing and deciding individual cases or disputes under existing agency rules.- Merit system
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A civil service system in which government employees are hired and promoted based on ability and qualifications rather than political loyalty.- Spoils system
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The practice of awarding government jobs to political supporters and allies of the winning candidate.- Pendleton Act
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An 1883 law that created the civil service system and established merit-based hiring for federal employees.- Entitlement program
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A government benefit program, such as Social Security or Medicare, where all individuals who meet eligibility requirements automatically receive benefits.
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