If you used the context clues provided, this should have been a fairly simple question. The correct answer is “independent executive agency,” which makes sense given that it reports “directly to the president.” Examples of independent executive agencies include: the CIA, and the Selective Service System.

This is a somewhat difficult question. The correct answer is “regulatory agency.” The question itself gives you the specifics of what a regulatory agency is, but purposefully fails to give you actual examples of regulatory agencies (it would be too easy otherwise!). Examples of regulatory agencies include: the FCC, the NLRB, and the Federal Reserve.

This should have been a relatively easy question. The correct answer is “Government Corporation.” Remember: a corporation is a distinct legal entity wholly and completely separate from its owners and operators. This is important mostly due to concepts like limited liability (which are far beyond the scope of your course). Regardless, the government can form corporations, which are the same as any other corporation except for the ownership structure. Examples include: Amtrak and the USPS.

The president is the correct answer. The president sits at the very top of the bureaucratic hierarchy, and wields enormous influence through executive orders and his cabinet. In addition, the president is able to influence the bureaucracy through his appointment powers. That said, Congress can temper the president’s input through confirmation requirement—that is, the Senate must confirm the appointments.

Max Weber is the German sociologist responsible for creating the 6 characteristics of all bureaucracies. They include: (1) a formal hierarchical structure; (2) management by rules; (3) organization by functional specialty; (4) an in-focused mission; (5) purposely impersonal; and (6) employment based on technical qualifications.

This should have been a relatively simple question. The correct answer is “that everyone is treated the same…” This, of course, is the longer explanation of the fifth Weberian tenet of bureaucracy—“purposely impersonal.” In slightly more detail, this means that bureaucrats treat everyone the same—Bill Gates, a high school janitor, the CEO of Delta Airlines, etc. Everyone is treated the same, regardless of their status. This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone is treated well (think your neighborhood DMV) just that everyone is treated the same.

This should have been a relatively easy question. The correct answer is “technical expertise,” although “political connections” may have been an incredibly tempting answer (and not entirely incorrect). While political connections are (oftentimes) important in bureaucratic appointments, according to Weber’s 6th tenant of bureaucracy, technical expertise is the most important—note that “political connections” are not among the Weberian tenets.

This should have been a relatively simple question. In American Politics, if the position begins with “Secretary,” there’s a fair (nearly certain) chance that the position is a cabinet-level position. That said, the head of the Department of Justice is called the “Attorney General,” yet is still a member of the cabinet. The Vice President, interestingly enough, is also a member of the cabinet. All of these represent top-ranking bureaucrats.

Bureaucracies actually favor employees who are specialists in various fields, so that each individual specializes in and has great aptitude for their assigned topic. Each bureaucratic employee is intended to be an expert in their own realm, with only the best of the best attending to the most crucial tasks. In order to ensure this high standard, the system operates exclusively on the merit principle – hiring and promotion decisions are based on proven accomplishments and assessments, rather than on personal connections or other intangible assets. Another defining feature of the bureaucratic system is impersonal relations with the public, where each matter is attended to with impartiality and fairness, even if members of Congress or a President is involved. This impartiality is enforced by a strict adherence to a lengthy set of rules, which details each and every case that may arise before a bureaucrat. These rules attempt to anticipate any concerns that may come before the bureaucracy and set out laws governing explicit courses of action, all to ensure that no favoritism is shown. Internally, bureaucracies are structured on a fixed hierarchal basis, with each employee confined to their sphere of expertise and power stemming from the topmost authority figures downwards.

When it comes to federal bureaucracies, the Department of Defense employs the highest number of civilians, nearly twenty-five percent of all federal civilian employees in total. This is in addition to the Department of Defense’s military wing, which is comprised of more than one million enlisted men and women. The Postal Service ranks second, with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security following next in close succession. If surveyed on a statewide basis, contrary to popular belief, Washington, D.C. does not occupy the top position. Rather, California has the highest percentage of federal civilian bureaucrats. This is largely because the government naturally cannot accommodate every single employee within the confines of the District of Columbia; many departments have offices across several states, while others are posted worldwide.