1. Political machines – Heyday = late 19th/early 20th century
Definition of machine: Johnston-
“A party organization within which power is highly centralized” and
“The followers/members are motivated and rewarded by divisible material incentives”

2. Origins of machine What allows machines to grow and flourish?
* immigration
* rapid growth of cities (urbanization)
* chaotic electoral/administration procedures

5. What did machines do? Exs of machines: Tammany (Boss Tweed)-
Was director of RR company, part owner of company that did printing for the city, president of city bank, part owner of NY newspaper.
Tweed machine seen as extremely greedy
Associated with violence against citizens
Corruption and greed led to downfall of Tweed ring.
Also: McManes (Philadelphia), Ruef-Schmitz (San Francisco), Chicago

6. Pros and Cons of Machines?
Have suggested negatives (corruption/greed/violence/favoritism)
Positives:
Machines did perform some social welfare functions (in a time before there was a developed welfare state)

7. Reforms in response to machines
Growth of municipal reform groups 1880s/1890s
Reforms advocated:
Stronger mayors (Pennsylvania “Bullitt charter”)
City or council managers
At large elections

8. 9 min video watched in class:
v=YildL_ilQFY&feature=youtu.be