Merit System Essay #22

a) One main characteristic of the Federal Bureaucracy Merit System is that it hires government employees based on their abilities, rather than their political connections. Applicants take a standardized examination that determines their competency.

b) Structure of the federal bureaucracy- The different aspects of society is a factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence. It has contributed to the growth of bureaucratic power and federal bureaucratic agencies now have the responsibility to execute federal law.

Complexity of public policy problems- The Federal bureaucracy is given discretionary authority, which basically contributes to bureaucratic independence.

c) Congress- Congress has the reserved power to allocate funding to all federal programs, including bureaucratic institutions. They can use this "power of the purse" to ensure that agencies comply with their wishes. 

The Courts- Judicial review is the power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional. The courts can check the bureaucracy by declaring laws made by the bureaucracy unconstitutional.

Interest Groups- Special interest groups check the power of bureaucracy with their constant
monitoring and resultant publicity of actions. Special interest groups can create a false sense of urgency or need on a topic.

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