Question

question
how did the merit system established by the pendleton civil service reform act change the federal bureaucracy?
select an answer
a. using the merit system, candidates are hired based on their qualifications and expertise rather than their political connections, effectively ending the spoils system.
b. the merit system eliminated all appointments of bureaucrats, which reduced the ability of the president and congress to exercise control over the bureaucracy.
c. by making it easier to remove bureaucrats, the merit system has produced high levels of turnover within agencies.
d. the merit system has concentrated most of the workforce of the federal bureaucracy in washington, d.c.

Explanation:

The Pendleton Civil - Service Reform Act established a merit - based system for hiring federal employees. Before this, the spoils system was prevalent where jobs were given based on political connections. The merit system aimed to end this by hiring based on qualifications and expertise. Option B is incorrect as it didn't eliminate all appointments. Option C is wrong as it didn't make it easier to remove bureaucrats and cause high turnover. Option D is not related to the main change brought by the merit system.

Answer:

A. Using the merit system, candidates are hired based on their qualifications and expertise rather than their political connections, effectively ending the spoils system.