FRQ #22

The merit system hires based on tests and skill or abilities, not political favors or seniority. Bureaucracies are independent from policy making for many reasons. Firstly, many positions require a high level of expertise to operate efficiently, expertise that many do not posses. Due to that expertise, and the merit system on which hiring and promotions are based on, it is very difficult to fire or remove positions. The legislative branch can check the bureaucracy, through the federal budget, restricting cash flow to certain areas. Also, the courts wield the power of judicial review and the ability to declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. Finally, interest groups can limit the bureaucracy by using the media to put public pressure on the institution.

The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing governmental policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system.

1. (a)  Describe one key characteristic of the merit system.
2. (b)  For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence.
   
   • The structure of the federal bureaucracy
   • The complexity of public policy problems
3. (c)  For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.

• Congress
  
• The courts
  
• Interest groups 
  
  http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf