Social Sciences and History / Unit 8 SSH 0732 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Spoils to Merit
Captions available
The idea
In the post-Jacksonian nineteenth century the bureaucracy was charged with politics and corruption: the spoils system rewarded party loyalty with appointments. The eighteen eighties began a merit civil service, ability over loyalty; it grew under Franklin Roosevelt and again in the nineteen sixties.
In practice
Competitive examinations as the merit system's device.
Where people slip
Merit's cost: less responsiveness to elected officials, traded for efficiency.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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