By Henry Reining, Jr.
Educational Director, National Institute of Public Affairs

Revised by Civil Service Commission

(Published January 1946)

Why Do We Have a Merit System?

The Early Presidents

• But what about Congress?
• Jacksonian democracy
• What did Lincoln do?
• General Grant’s reforms
• Even Guiteau couldn’t do it alone
• What were the provisions of the Pendleton Act?

What Is Federal Civil Service Like Today?

• How does the retirement system work?
• What is position-classification?
• What is the pay for federal jobs?
• Are all government jobs under civil service?
• Should all government jobs be under civil service?
• What about the foreign service and TVA?
• Can a civil servant run for elective office?
• Must public employees pay political assessments?
• What is personnel administration?

How Does One Get a Job in Civil Service?

• What kinds of jobs are available in civil service?
• But aren’t most government jobs clerical?
• How do you get a government job?

Are Veterans Preferred in Civil Service?

• Who is entitled to veterans preference?
• Is it “cricket” to claim veterans preference?

What Kind of People Take Civil Service Jobs?

• What’s all this talk about bureaucrats?
• Can a government worker be fired?
• Can government employees join a union?
• What personal qualities should one have?
• Government is public service

To the Discussion Leader

• How can civil service be discussed?
• Questions to stimulate discussion

For Further Reading