Question

Congress passed the Hatch Act in 1939 to limit certain political activities of federal government employees. In which of the following ways do these restrictions increase the effectiveness of the bureaucracy?

A. By encouraging federal employees to actively engage in partisan political campaigns.
B. By preventing federal employees from participating in political activities, ensuring their focus remains on their official duties.
C. By allowing federal employees to use government resources for political purposes.
D. By requiring federal employees to hold leadership positions in political parties for a more engaged bureaucracy.

Answer 1

The Hatch Act of 1939 increases the effectiveness of the bureaucracy by preventing federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities, allowing them to remain focused on their official duties and maintain a nonpartisan stance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Congress passed the Hatch Act in 1939 to ensure that federal employees serve the public with impartiality and execute their official duties without the influence of political pressures. One of the ways these restrictions increase the effectiveness of the bureaucracy is by preventing federal employees from participating in partisan political activities. This focus on official responsibilities, outlined in option B, is intended to maintain a nonpartisan bureaucracy, which serves the function of implementing laws and regulations based on merit and competence rather than political allegiance. By reducing political involvement among federal employees, the Hatch Act helps to prevent the use of governmental power to influence elections, thereby reinforcing the integrity and impartial execution of the federal government's bureaucratic functions.

Answer: B. By preventing federal employees from participating in political activities, ensuring their focus remains on their official duties.