CSS Public Policy & Administration Flashcards
6 cards from real CSS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CSS Public Policy & Administration flashcards as text
What is the significance of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 in U.S. public administration?
Answer: It established a merit-based system for federal employment, replacing the spoils system
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 established a merit-based system for federal employment, requiring competitive examinations and replacing the spoils system where jobs were awarded based on political loyalty.
What is 'devolution' in U.S. intergovernmental relations?
Answer: The transfer of federal program responsibilities and authority to state and local governments
Devolution is the transfer of federal program responsibilities, authority, and often funding to state and local governments, reflecting a shift toward decentralized governance.
In public administration, what is 'accountability' primarily concerned with?
Answer: Requiring that officials answer for their actions and the outcomes of the programs they manage
Accountability in public administration primarily concerns the obligation of civil servants and agencies to answer for their actions, decisions, and the outcomes of the programs they manage to oversight bodies and the public.
What is 'performance management' in the context of federal agency administration?
Answer: A systematic approach to setting goals, measuring outcomes, and using results to improve agency effectiveness
Performance management in federal administration is a systematic approach to setting organizational goals, measuring program outcomes, and using performance data to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of agency operations.
What is the primary function of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in federal civil service administration?
Answer: To serve as the central HR agency for the federal government, overseeing hiring, classification, and benefits
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) serves as the central human resources agency for the federal government, overseeing federal hiring, job classification, pay, benefits, and workforce policies.
What does 'e-government' refer to in public administration?
Answer: The use of digital technology and the internet to deliver government services and information to citizens
E-government refers to the use of digital technology, particularly the internet, to deliver government services, information, and transactions to citizens, businesses, and other government entities more efficiently.