Term 1: Key Concepts in Government and Public Administration, Quizzes of Local Government Studies

Download Term 1: Key Concepts in Government and Public Administration and more Quizzes Local Government Studies in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 bureaucracy DEFINITION 1 according to Max Weber, a hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality TERM 2 patronage DEFINITION 2 a system in which jobs & promotions are awarded for political reasons rather than for merit/competence TERM 3 Pendleton Civil Service Act DEFINITION 3 Passed in 1883, an act that created a federal civil service so that hiring & promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage TERM 4 civil service DEFINITION 4 a system of hiring & promotion based on the merit principle TERM 5 merit principle DEFINITION 5 the idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams & promotion ratings to produce administration by people w/ talent and skill TERM 6 Hatch Act DEFINITION 6 a federal law prohibiting gov employees from active participation in partisan politics while on duty or for employees in sensitive positions at any time TERM 7 Office of Personnel Management DEFINITION 7 The office in charge of hiring for most agencies of the federal government, using elaborate rules in the process TERM 8 GS (general schedule) rating DEFINITION 8 a schedule for federal employees, ranging from GS 1 to GS 18, by which salaries can be keyed to rating & experience TERM 9 Senior Executive Service DEFINITION 9 an elite cadre of about 9,000 fed government managers at the top of the civil service system TERM 10 independent regulatory commission DEFINITION 10 a government agency with responsibility for making & enforcing rules to protect the public interest in some sector of the economy and for judging disputes over these rules TERM 21 standing to sue DEFINITION 21 the requirement that plaintiffs have a serious interest in a case, which depends on whether they have sustained or are likely to sustain a direct & substantial injury from another party or an action of government TERM 22 class action suits DEFINITION 22 lawsuits in which a small number of people sue on behalf of all people in similar circumstances TERM 23 justiciable disputes DEFINITION 23 issues capable of being settled as a matter of law TERM 24 amicus curiae briefs DEFINITION 24 legal briefs submitted by a "friend of the court" for the purpose of influencing a court's decision by raising additional points of view & presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties TERM 25 original jurisdiction DEFINITION 25 the jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case TERM 26 appellate jurisdiction DEFINITION 26 the jurisdiction of courts that hear cases brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts don't review the factual record, only the legal issues involved TERM 27 district courts DEFINITION 27 the 91 federal courts of original jurisdiction; the only fed courts in which trials are held & in which juries may be impaneled TERM 28 courts of appeal DEFINITION 28 appellate courts empowered to review all final decisions of district courts, except in rare cases. They also hear appeals to orders of many federal regulatory agencies TERM 29 Supreme Court DEFINITION 29 the pinnacle of the American judicial system. The Court ensures uniformity in interpreting national laws, resolves conflicts among states, & maintains national supremacy in law. It has both original jurisdiction & appellate jurisdiction, but unlike other fed courts, it controls its own agenda TERM 30 senatorial courtesy DEFINITION 30 an unwritten tradition whereby nominations for state-level federal judicial posts are usually not confirmed if they are opposed by a senator of the president's party from the state in which the nominee will serve; also applies to courts of appeal when there is opposition from a senator of the president's party who is from the nominee's state TERM 31 solicitor general DEFINITION 31 a presidential appointee & the 3rd-ranking office in the Department of Justice. The solicitor general is in charge of the appellate court litigation of the federal government TERM 32 opinion DEFINITION 32 a statement of legal reasoning behind a judicial decision. The content of an opinion may be as important as the decision itself. TERM 33 stare decisis DEFINITION 33 a Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand." Most cases reaching appellate courts are settled on this principle TERM 34 precedent DEFINITION 34 how similar cases have been decided in the past TERM 35 judicial implementation DEFINITION 35 how & whether court decisions are translated into actual policy, thereby affecting the behavior of others; the courts rely on other units of government to enforce their decisions