Be Sure to Answer the Question Entirely and to Write in Complete Sentences

CH14 Free Response Question Be sure to answer the question entirely and to write in complete sentences.

Many political scientists believe that having a nonpartisan civil service increases the likelihood that government will operate in an effective and efficient manner. a) Define the merit principle and explain how it helps to ensure that the civil service remains nonpartisan.

b) Define the Hatch Act and explain how it helps to ensure that the civil service remains nonpartisan.

c) Although the federal bureaucracy is nonpartisan, the president is nominally in charge of it. Identify and describe two ways a president attempts to control the bureaucracy. Part (a): 2 points One point is earned for a correct definition of the merit principle.

 The merit principle calls for the use of entrance exams and promotion ratings to hire and reward qualified civil servants. One point is earned for explaining how the merit principles role in a nonpartisan civil service.

 Under merit principle, individuals are hired and promoted based on their qualifications, rather than patronage or partisan ties.

Part (b): 2 points One point is earned for a correct definition of the Hatch Act.

 Hatch Act is a federal law that prohibits government employees from participating in partisan activities while on duty. One point is earned for correctly explaining how the Hatch Act’s role is in a nonpartisan civil service.

 Law helps to protect civil service employees from pressures from political appointees and others to behave in a partisan manner in carrying out their professional duties.

Part (c): 4 points One point each is earned for correctly identifying two of the three ways a president attempts to control the bureaucracy.

1. Appoint the right people to head agencies

2. Issue executive orders

3. Alter an agency’s budget One point each is earned for correctly describing two of the three ways a president attempts to control the bureaucracy (# coordinates with answer # above)

1. appointing individuals with shared ideology and goals

2. executive orders carry the force of law and can be used to get agencies to take, or not take, certain actions

3. OMB is controlled by President and is key in determining an agency’s budget. OMB threatening to cut or add to a budget usually can get an agency’s attention.