Glossary
Accountability
The obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and disclose the results in a transparent manner.
Example:
After a major data breach, the CEO of the tech company faced intense scrutiny, demonstrating the principle of accountability for protecting user information.
Audit
An official inspection of an individual's or organization's accounts, typically conducted by an independent body.
Example:
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) might conduct an audit of a taxpayer's financial records to ensure compliance with tax laws.
Authorization of Spending
The process by which Congress grants permission for federal agencies to spend money on specific programs or activities.
Example:
Before the Department of Defense can purchase new fighter jets, Congress must pass an authorization of spending bill for that specific expenditure.
Bureaucracy
A system of government or business management that involves many departments, strict rules, and a hierarchical structure.
Example:
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a classic example of a bureaucracy, with its specific forms, procedures, and multiple levels of approval for tasks like getting a driver's license.
Checks and Balances
A system in which each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches and may choose to block procedures of the other branches.
Example:
When the President vetoes a bill passed by Congress, it's an exercise of checks and balances, preventing one branch from becoming too powerful.
Compliance
The act or process of adhering to rules, regulations, laws, or standards.
Example:
Businesses must ensure compliance with environmental protection laws to avoid fines and legal penalties.
Congressional Oversight
The power of the U.S. Congress to monitor, review, and supervise federal agencies, programs, and policy implementation.
Example:
A Senate committee holding hearings on the effectiveness of a new defense program is an example of congressional oversight.
Executive Direction
The President's power to manage and guide the executive branch, including setting policy goals and overseeing federal agencies.
Example:
When the President issues an executive order to streamline a federal agency's operations, they are exercising executive direction.
Governance
The process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented) within an organization or system.
Example:
Effective corporate governance ensures that a company is run ethically and responsibly, balancing the interests of shareholders, employees, and the public.
Judicial Rulings
Decisions made by courts, particularly the Supreme Court, that interpret laws and the Constitution, often setting precedents for future cases.
Example:
A Supreme Court judicial ruling that strikes down a state law as unconstitutional demonstrates the judiciary's power to shape public policy.
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)
A powerful office within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that reviews and coordinates federal regulations proposed by executive agencies.
Example:
Before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can finalize a new clean air standard, OIRA must review it to ensure it aligns with the President's agenda and is cost-effective.
Performance Evaluation
A systematic and objective assessment of an organization's or program's effectiveness, efficiency, and impact in achieving its objectives.
Example:
The Department of Education conducts a performance evaluation of new teaching methods to determine if they improve student learning outcomes.
Public Reporting
The act of making information about government activities, finances, or performance available to the general public.
Example:
A state environmental agency engages in public reporting when it releases annual data on air quality, informing citizens about local pollution levels.
Regulation
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority, often a government agency, to control or govern conduct.
Example:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues regulations on food safety standards to protect public health.
Transparency
The quality of being open, honest, and accessible in terms of information and decision-making processes.
Example:
A city council that publishes all meeting minutes and financial records online is practicing transparency, allowing citizens to easily see how decisions are made and money is spent.