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
Vice President (election, role)
Study Notes
The Senate
Study Notes
Congressional Committees
Study Notes
Congress
Study Notes
The House of Representatives
Study Notes

A Virtual Visit to the White House
11th September 2015
Representatives (Role and Election)
Study Notes
Midterm Elections
Study Notes