Spoils System - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT spoils system /spɔɪlz ˈsɪstəm/ IPA guide

Other forms: spoils systems

In politics, a spoils system is a practice of an election winner giving government jobs to supporters, friends, and family members.

Throughout most of the 1880s, the U.S. spoils system ensured that political supporters and donors got the best high-level jobs in new presidential administrations. Reforms in the 1880s officially ended the spoils system, though there have been attempts to bring it back and make it easy to fire federal workers perceived as disloyal to the president. The term comes from the phrase "to the victor belong the spoils," or in other words, "the winner gets the profits."

Definitions of spoils system

noun the system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power see moresee less antonyms: merit system the system of employing and promoting civil servants on the basis of ability type of: system, system of rules a complex of methods or rules governing behavior

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Vocabulary lists containing spoils system

U.S. Government - Middle School and High School

If you want to learn about the American political system, you're at liberty to study this list of terms related to U.S. government. You'll review the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial), the Constitution, elections, and more. Cast your vote for vocabulary!

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