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political machine definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a group that controls the activities of a political party; "he was endorsed by the Democratic machine" [syn: machine, political machine]

Britannica Concise

In U.S. politics, a political-party organization that controls enough votes to maintain political and administrative control of its community. The rapid growth of cities in the 19th cent. created huge problems for city governments, which were often poorly structured and unable to provide services. Enterprising politicians were able to create support by doing favors for newcomers in exchange for votes, incl. giving out patronage jobs and housing. Though machines often helped restructure city governments to the benefit of their constituents, they just as often resulted in poorer service (when jobs were doled out as political rewards), corruption (when contracts or concessions were awarded in return for kickbacks), and aggravation of racial or ethnic hostilities (when the machine did not reflect the city's diversity). Reforms, suburban flight, and a more mobile population with fewer ties to city neighborhoods have all contributed to weakening machine politics. Famous machines have included those of W. M. Tweed (New York), J. M. Curley (Boston), T. Pendergast (Kansas City, Mo.), and R. Daley (Chicago). See also civil service.