Final answer:
The personal makeup of the federal civil service, shaped by the merit-based system established through the Pendleton Act and subsequent reforms, affects policy by contributing to a more stable, qualified, and politically neutral administration, which in turn can lead to more effective policy implementation and public service.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question focuses on the effects on policy of the personal makeup of the federal civil service post-implementation of the Pendleton Act of 1883, which transitioned the federal workforce from a patronage to a merit-based system. This law had significant policy impacts: it reduced the influence of politics in civil service by prohibiting the firing of government workers for political reasons, it enforced employment qualifications through competency exams, and established the Civil Service Commission which later evolved into the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). These changes resulted in increased job security for civil servants and laid the groundwork for civil service organizations that further protect these employees from political influences. Within this context, the personal makeup of the federal civil service affects policy in nuanced ways. Broadly, these civil servants are more insulated from political swings and can focus on policy continuity and expertise. However, skepticism about the growing bureaucracy continued, leading to reforms such as the Hatch Act, which restricted political activities of civil servants, and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, a response to public doubt about government integrity. Ultimately, this evolution towards a merit-based civil service impacts policy by potentially leading to a more stable, qualified, and politically neutral bureaucracy capable of effectively administering public services and responding to the needs of a changing society, as seen with policy decisions on diverse issues such as financial allocation and civil liberties.