BureaucracyA large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.PatronageGranting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return forpolitical support.Pendleton Civil Service ActPassed in 1883, an Act that created a federal civil service so that hiring andpromotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.Civil serviceA system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire tocreate a nonpartisan government service.Hatch ActA federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation inpartisan politics.Office of Personnel ManagementThe office in charge of hiring for most agencies of the federal government, usingelaborate rules in the process.GS (General Schedule) ratingA schedule for federal employees, ranging from GS 1 to GS 18, by which salaries canbe keyed to rating and experience.Bureaucratic accountabilityThe degree to which bureaucrats are held accountable for the power they exercise.CabinetA group of advisers to the president.Clientele groupsGroups of citizens whose interests are affected by an agency or a department andwho work to influence its policies.
