AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards: The Bureaucracy
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the key difference between the merit system and political patronage?
The merit system bases hiring on qualifications and neutrality, whereas political patronage involves appointing people to jobs based on their political connections.
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What is the key difference between the merit system and political patronage?
The merit system bases hiring on qualifications and neutrality, whereas political patronage involves appointing people to jobs based on their political connections.
What is the primary role of the federal bureaucracy?
The federal bureaucracy is responsible for carrying out the responsibilities of the federal government by implementing policy.
What is the merit system?
The merit system is the primary method used by the civil service to hire and promote employees based on professionalism, specialization, and neutrality.
What is an iron triangle?
An iron triangle is a stable alliance among a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group, all focused on a specific policy area.
What three principles guide hiring and promotion under the civil service merit system?
The merit system prioritizes hiring and promotion based on the principles of professionalism, specialization, and neutrality.
What is an issue network?
An issue network is a temporary coalition of various individuals and groups that forms to promote a common issue or agenda.
If a bureaucratic agency creates new safety standards for a product and then penalizes a company for not meeting them, which two functions is it performing?
The agency is performing its functions of writing and enforcing regulations and issuing fines.
What is political patronage?
Political patronage is the system of awarding bureaucratic jobs based on political appointments and connections rather than on merit.
Besides writing regulations, what are three other ways the bureaucracy implements policy?
The bureaucracy also implements policy by issuing fines, testifying before Congress, and forming iron triangles or issue networks.
What types of entities compose the federal bureaucracy?
The federal bureaucracy is composed of departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations.