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What If... The Trump "Merit-Based" Hiring Reforms Create A New Spoils System

By Myxoplixx | America, What If...? | 22 Jan 2025


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In the early days of the United States, the government operated under a system known as patronage, or the spoils system. This approach to governance prioritized political loyalty over merit and competence, shaping the landscape of federal employment for much of the 19th century. Under this system, the president and other elected officials wielded significant power, appointing supporters and friends to various government positions as rewards for their political allegiance. These appointments weren't limited to high-ranking roles; they extended to a wide array of federal jobs, including postmasters and customs officers.

The spoils system brought about dramatic changes with each new administration, especially when power shifted between political parties. For instance, when Andrew Jackson became president in 1829, he removed officials from over 900 political offices, representing about 10% of all federal appointments. This high turnover often led to inefficiency and increased opportunities for corruption, as many appointees lacked the necessary qualifications or experience for their positions. Government employees viewed their roles as temporary, tied to the political fortunes of their benefactors, resulting in shorter tenures and a lack of continuity in government operations.

Despite its drawbacks, proponents argued that the patronage system helped democratize the government by allowing common people to occupy key posts, rather than creating a permanent elite bureaucracy. It was also seen as crucial for maintaining and strengthening political parties, providing a way to reward loyal supporters and maintain political machinery. Some supporters claimed that it promoted direct accountability from administrators to elected officials. However, growing concerns about government corruption, inefficiency, and the assassination of President James Garfield by a disgruntled office seeker in 1881 eventually led to civil service reforms, culminating in the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, which marked the beginning of the end for the widespread patronage system in the United States government.

The new federal hiring practices, ostensibly designed to enhance efficiency and merit-based selection, cast a shadow reminiscent of the old patronage system. As the government implements these reforms, a concerning trend emerges, the workforce begins to homogenize ideologically, potentially stifling diverse perspectives and fostering groupthink within federal agencies. The emphasis on hiring individuals aligned with specific interpretations of American ideals and the Constitution creates a new form of ideological patronage, eerily echoing the party-based affiliations of the past. This shift threatens the traditional neutrality of the civil service, as the bureaucracy becomes increasingly politicized with each administration change.

The centralized control over hiring, manifested through the Federal Hiring Plan and high-level official involvement, mirrors the influence once wielded by party bosses in appointments. While the order explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, or religion, the focus on certain ideological commitments potentially serves as a proxy for exclusionary practices. As loyalty to specific interpretations of the Constitution takes precedence over technical expertise, the overall competence of the federal workforce may decline, jeopardizing the effectiveness of government services and programs.

As these changes unfold, public trust in government institutions erodes further, exacerbating social and political polarization. The emphasis on a particular constitutional interpretation among federal employees sets the stage for potential conflicts between branches of government, raising the specter of a constitutional crisis. In this dystopian scenario, the new hiring practices, despite their stated intentions, inadvertently reinvent some of the most problematic aspects of the old system. The result is a federal workforce that, while claiming to prioritize merit and efficiency, becomes less diverse in thought and potentially less responsive to the needs of a varied citizenry. This transformation of the federal hiring process serves as a stark reminder that even well-intentioned reforms can have far-reaching, unintended consequences that reshape the very fabric of governance.

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Myxoplixx
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Just a dude with not so common sense making non-financial observations 😏


America, What If...?
America, What If...?

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