Hatch Act
Definition
The Hatch Act is a federal law passed in 1939 that limits certain political activities of federal employees, as well as some state and local government employees who work in connection with federally funded programs.
Analogy
The Hatch Act is like the rules at a school dance. Just as there are certain behaviors that aren't allowed to ensure everyone has a good time (like no fighting or inappropriate behavior), the Hatch Act sets boundaries for what government employees can do politically to ensure fairness and prevent misuse of power.
Related terms
Political Activities: Actions directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group.
Federal Employees: People who work for the federal government, including civil service professionals.
Partisan Politics: A strong allegiance to one's own political party, often leading to unwillingness to compromise with members of other parties.
"Hatch Act" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- How could history be different if the Hatch Act hadn't restricted political activities of federal employees?
Resources
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