Patronage

Definition

Patronage in the context of political science is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the realm of politics, it often refers to the giving of government jobs to supporters of the party in power after an election.

Related terms

Spoils System:

A practice where a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its voters as a reward for working toward victory.

Meritocracy: A system in which appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals based on their "merits," such as their abilities and qualifications.

Political Party: An organized group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office