What is the term for the practice of winning candidates giving government jobs to political backers or supporters?

• A. Mercantilism
• B. Quid Pro Quo
• C. Divided Government
• D. Spoils System

Answer: (D)

The spoils system is the practice of rewarding winning candidates by giving government jobs to their political backers or supporters. The idea is that after an election, the victorious party has the power to place loyal allies into offices, which helps maintain party loyalty and control. This approach was common in early U.S. history and is often tied to leaders like Andrew Jackson, who favored loyal supporters in government roles rather than hiring strictly on merit. Over time, reforms such as the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act shifted hiring toward merit-based processes, reducing patronage. Quid Pro Quo refers to reciprocal favors in general, divided government describes a split in political control, and mercantilism is an economic policy, none of which capture the systematic awarding of government jobs to supporters as the spoils system does.