what is a political machine

A political machine is a party organization that recruits its members by the use of tangible incentives, such as money or political jobs, and is characterized by a high degree of leadership control over member activity. Political machines are typically organized on a permanent basis instead of a single election or event. They rely on hierarchy and rewards for political power, often enforced by a strong party whip structure. Political machines sometimes have a political boss, typically rely on patronage, the spoils system, "behind-the-scenes" control, and longstanding political ties within the structure of a representative democracy. Political machines are characterized by a disciplined and hierarchical organization, reaching down to neighborhood and block organizers, that enables the machine to respond to the problems of individual neighborhoods, or even families, in exchange for loyalty at the polls. The term "machine" usually is used by its reform-minded enemies in a pejorative sense. Although the primary goal of a political machine is keeping itself in power rather than providing good government, machines have been responsible for restructuring city governments to centralize authority, improving facilities and services, helping to assimilate immigrant groups, and encouraging the growth of business and industry.