What is a polictical machine?

Answer 1

The term "political machine" is used to refer to a conspiracy among individuals for the purpose of manipulating election results, dictating political appointments, illegally manipulating the legislative process and generally engaging in political corruption for the purpose of benefiting the conspirators. Within the US, political machines have engaged in voter fraud and have used political power, illegally acquired, to wield undue influence over political, judicial and administrative institutions. The leadership of political machines, often referred to as "bosses", misappropriate public funds and abuse authority to enrich themselves and pacify supportive parties. An example of this could be the use of a political machine to ensure the appointment--through corrupt means--of a municipal police chief. The chief, beholden to the machine for his employment, would then agree to avoid investigating crimes committed by business interests that, financially, support the political machine. By trading favors, the political machine extends it's influence and profits from the "arrangements" it establishes. Ultimately, good government efforts, such as efforts to better monitor voting and election results, seek to prevent the existence of political machines and restore legitimacy to the political process.