In what ways does the bureaucracy fall short in terms of democracy?
A) Bureaucrats enjoy substantial discretion in carrying out their missions.
B) Bureaucrats carry out their mission in response to Congress.
C) Civil servants are a lot like Americans demographically.
D) Civil servants are a lot like Americans in terms of what they think government should be doing.
E) Bureaucrats carry out their mission in response to the president.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bureaucrats have a considerable degree of discretion in carrying out their responsibilities, which can lead to undemocratic decisions being made without the input or consent of the public.

Answer: E
 Bureaucrats typically follow the directives of the president, who is only directly accountable to the public through the election process every four years. This can result in public policies that do not align with the preferences and values of the majority of Americans.

In What Ways Does the Bureaucracy Fall Short in Terms