The Spoils System
The spoils system is a name given to the process of appointing individuals to government offices on the basis of political loyalty. It is a particular practice in the United States, although similar systems have been adopted in other countries. Those appointed with the spoils system typically receive greatly reduced pay and often fail to meet basic requirements for the position.
The original spoils system in the United States began shortly after the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828. The practice gained its nickname as a nod to the notion that those appointed were “spoils” of Jacksons victory. Under Jacksons tenure, the spoils system became a much more formalized system, with positions being filled simply on the basis of loyalty to Jackson and his party. In short, those in the positions were effectively political appointees.
Shortly after Jacksons election, Congress amended the Hatch Act in order to limit some of the abuses of the spoils system. The act limited access to certain jobs to those who had served within the government for a number of years. This was done in order to ensure that those positions were not utilized solely for political reasons.
The remainder of the 19th century saw the expansion of the spoils system, and it was particularly prevalent during the presidency of Grover Cleveland. Despite efforts to limit abuses with the passage of the Pendleton Act in 1883, the spoils system continued to be utilized in a variety of ways.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the spoils system in the United States has been gradually phased out. Congress passed the Civil Service Reform Act in 1978 in order to put an end to it, and the approach is no longer an accepted practice.
The primary argument in favor of the spoils system is that it allows elected officials to prioritize loyalty and promote members of their own party. This can give a president the ability to shape their own policies and programs, even if it means that a certain department may be less efficient. Those who are in favor of the spoils system therefore argue that it allows for greater personalization of government and a greater focus on political objectives.
On the other hand, the primary arguments against the spoils system are that it can lead to a significant loss of expertise from government positions. This can, in turn, lead to a decrease in the general efficiency of government bureaucracy. Since those who are appointed often lack knowledge about the positions and important qualifications, their appointments may be detrimental to overall progress and growth. Furthermore, it has been argued that the spoils system allows elected officials to bypass what little accountability may exist, leading to increased corruption and abuse of power.
Despite the many arguments for and against the spoils system, the practice is no longer in use in the United States. The Civil Service Reform Act and other regulations have helped to ensure that government appointments are made in a manner that is fairer, more transparent, and more equitable.
