Politics
Study Notes
Spoils System
- Level:
- A Level
- Board:
- AQA, Edexcel, OCR, IB
Last updated 22 Mar 2021
The spoils system is the system through which jobs and appointments are handed out to political supporters in the event that a political party wins an election.
This process historically used to be widespread in US Politics, however it has become somewhat curtailed in vast areas of the federal government thanks to the Hatch Act of 1939, which forbid federal employees from engaging the many political activities.
However, the spoils system does still exist, especially in the Executive Office of the President. In this office, the President is free to select the staff who work in EXOP. There are typically a huge number of roles to fill within the office, so as such many of the campaign staff who got the President elected will move into political roles in the Executive Office. It is often the case that campaign directors go on to become the Chief of Staff after a successful election.
You might also like
Get the Obama biography
2nd December 2020
The Trump Cabinet
Study Notes
Day Two at the Republican National Convention
20th July 2016
The American Empire?
20th January 2016
Split Ticket (ticket splitting)
Study Notes
Judicial Restraint
Study Notes
Constitutional Interpretation
Study Notes
Senators (Role and Election)
Study Notes
Recommended

Grade Booster Workshops Return to the Cinemas
Student Revision Workshops
Join our experienced presenters for a day of fast-paced revision & essential exam technique advice on the big cinema screen – supported by online help all the way though to your final exam paper.