SPOILS SYSTEM Meaning and
Definition
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The spoils system can be defined as a political practice in which elected officials or party leaders reward their supporters with government jobs or other favorable appointments, such as promotions or contracts. This system allows those in power to distribute the "spoils" of victory among their loyal followers, thereby maintaining and strengthening their party's hold on political control.
Originally introduced in the 19th century in the United States, the spoils system holds that the winner of an election has the right to fill government positions with loyal supporters as a means to consolidate their power and ensure their agenda is effectively implemented. This practice often overlooks merit-based selection and qualifications in favor of political loyalty and party affiliation.
Critics argue that the spoils system can lead to nepotism, corruption, and inefficiency within the government, as positions may be awarded to unqualified individuals solely based on their political allegiance rather than their abilities or experience. Moreover, it is believed to undermine fair competition and hinder the development of a professional bureaucracy.
Over time, various reforms have been implemented to minimize the spoils system's negative effects, including the establishment of independent civil service commissions and the adoption of merit-based selection processes. These reforms aim to promote transparency, fairness, and competency in government appointments while mitigating the potential for abuse or favoritism associated with the spoils system.
Common Misspellings for SPOILS SYSTEM
- apoils system
- zpoils system
- xpoils system
- dpoils system
- epoils system
- wpoils system
- sooils system
- sloils system
- s-oils system
- s0oils system
- spiils system
- spkils system
- splils system
- sppils system
- sp0ils system
- sp9ils system
- spouls system
- spojls system
- spokls system
Etymology of SPOILS SYSTEM
The term "spoils system" originated in the United States in the 19th century. Its etymology can be traced back to the phrase "to the victor belong the spoils", which is attributed to Senator William Learned Marcy in 1832. Marcy used this phrase to justify the practice of awarding government positions to loyal supporters after winning an election.
The spoils system refers to a system where the winning political party or candidate rewards their supporters with government jobs, contracts, or other benefits. It was based on the belief that the victor had the right to distribute the spoils of victory among their loyalists. The spoils system was criticized for promoting cronyism, corruption, and inefficiency in the Civil Service, and ultimately led to the establishment of the merit-based civil service systems in many countries.
Similar spelling word for SPOILS SYSTEM
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