Final answer:
The acquisitive model best explains current government operations, as it shows bureaucracies as competitive entities seeking to expand their resources and power by pushing Congress for more funding annually.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which model of bureaucracy best explains the way the government currently operates? The acquisitive model of bureaucracy is frequently cited in this context. According to the acquisitive model, bureaucracies are competitive and seek to expand their influence and resources. This model would best account for why bureaucracies often push Congress for more funding each year, as they work to enhance the status and capability of their own agency.
By expanding their budget and maximizing allocated resources, they increase their functional capacity and appear indispensable, which in turn makes it challenging for legislators to reduce their future funding. This aligns with the observation that bureaucracies actively seek to grow and consolidate power rather than merely fulfill their foundational objectives.