Party Patronage

Document Type

Book

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

The chapter addresses party patronage in the United States. Potentially a broad topic, concerning when public officials, as patrons, use public resources in some way to support their party or reward its members or supporters, the chapter focuses on the practice of rewarding supporters with appointed public employment. The use of party patronage throughout American political history, reforms thereof such as civil service, and legal challenges thereto are addressed. The Supreme Court has held that the First Amendment limits the use of patronage in public employment, except for positions that involve policymaking, though that exception has not been precisely defined. Also discussed is the impact of the Court decisions on the political parties, and on appointments to other public offices, such as state judges.

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