Final answer:
The power of party "bosses" and political machines to decide candidates for state and national office has declined since the emergence of candidate-centered campaigns in the 1930s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Here's an explanation of this development:
1. Shift to Candidate-Centered Campaigns: Candidate-centered campaigns started gaining prominence in the 1930s. In these campaigns, candidates themselves became the focal point of political campaigns, emphasizing their personal qualities, policies, and connection with voters. This shift diminished the influence of party bosses and political machines in deciding candidates.
2. Rise of Primary Elections: As candidate-centered campaigns grew, the use of primary elections became more widespread. Primary elections allow voters to directly select their preferred candidates for party nomination, bypassing the traditional party machinery. This empowered individual voters and reduced the influence of party bosses and machines in candidate selection.
3. Party Reforms: Over time, reforms were introduced within political parties to promote greater transparency and inclusivity in candidate selection processes. These reforms aimed to reduce the control of party bosses and machines by opening up the candidate nomination process to a wider range of party members and stakeholders.
4. Increasing Emphasis on Grassroots Movements: Candidate-centered campaigns also encouraged the rise of grassroots movements and activism. Grassroots movements, driven by engaged citizens and interest groups, put pressure on parties to be more responsive to the will of the people rather than the influence of party bosses. This further eroded the power of party bosses and machines in determining candidates.