Spoils System (Noun)
Meaning
The system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The spoils system was widely criticized for leading to incompetent and unqualified individuals being appointed to important government positions.
- The new administration vowed to end the spoils system and instead implement a merit-based hiring process for civil servants.
- The spoils system had been in place for decades, with each new government rewarding its loyal supporters with lucrative jobs and contracts.
- Critics argued that the spoils system undermined the effectiveness of the government and created a culture of cronyism and corruption.
- The spoils system was also seen as unfair to qualified candidates who were not affiliated with the ruling party and were therefore excluded from consideration for government jobs.