Prize Essay: Reform in the Government Service (Classic Reprint)

Walter Allen Smith

ISBN 10: 152790363X / ISBN 13: 9781527903630

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book delves into the history of civil service reform in the United States, examining its origins and proposing solutions to the challenges it faces. The author traces the development of the spoils system, a practice where political loyalty determines government appointments, from its inception to its widespread adoption. The book highlights the negative consequences of this system, including the exclusion of qualified individuals, the dominance of political managers, and increased government expenses. The author proposes a comprehensive approach to civil service reform, emphasizing the need for competitive examinations, merit-based appointments, and tenure during efficient behavior. By providing a thorough analysis of the past and present state of civil service reform, this book offers valuable insights for understanding and addressing the issues surrounding government employment and political influence. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781527903630_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Prize Essay: Reform in the Government Service (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 152790363X
• ISBN 13: 9781527903630
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Political Theory and History

About this title

Synopsis

Reform in the Government Service examines how to fix a system built on favoritism.

This classic essay argues for merit-based hiring and uniform tests to ensure fair access to public offices.

This edition surveys why competitive examinations emerge as the practical alternative to political appointments. It weighs the Pendleton bill and explores how tenure and promotion should work in a modern civil service. The discussion also highlights a key area—the consular and diplomatic services—as ripe for reform, while acknowledging limits in smaller offices.

• Learn why tests and probation are proposed to replace patronage in federal offices.
• Understand the debates over tenure, removal, and accountability for public servants.
• See how reforms might balance national needs with local accessibility and fairness.
• Explore why certain branches of government, like the consular service, are singled out for careful change.

Ideal for readers of history, public policy, and anyone curious about the roots of civil service reform in the United States.