Spoils system

The term was used particularly in politics of the United States, where the federal government operated on a spoils system until the Pendleton Act was passed in 1883 due to a civil service reform movement.

[3] Similar spoils systems are common in other nations that traditionally have been based on tribal organization or other kinship groups and localism in general.

Although it is commonly thought that the spoils system was introduced by President Andrew Jackson, historical evidence does not support this view.

[4][5] Patronage came to the United States during its Colonial history, whereas in its modern form, the spoils system got introduced into U.S. politics during the administration of George Washington, whose outlook generally favored members of the Federalist Party.

"[15] The Jackson administration aimed at creating a more efficient system where the chain of command of public employees all obeyed the higher entities of government.

[17] Moderation of the spoils system at the federal level with the passage of the Pendleton Act in 1883, which created a bipartisan Civil Service Commission to evaluate job candidates on a nonpartisan merit basis.

[citation needed] The Pendleton Act's reach was expanded as the two main political parties alternated control of the White House every election between 1884 and 1896.

Some federal positions such as ambassadorships have continued to be assigned to political supporters into the present day, leading to criticism that they remain part of the spoils system.