bureaucracy
a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials
government by proxy
Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to staff and administer federal programs
laissez-faire
an economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce
discretionary authority
the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws
competitive service
the government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria
name-request job
a job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified
iron triangle
a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
issue network
a network of people in Washington--based on interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities and their tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies
authorization legislation
legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency
appropriation
a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency
trust funds
funds for government programs collected and spent outside the regular government budget
committee clearance
the ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law
legislative veto
the authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power.
red tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done