Question

Which of the following reforms weakened the power of state and local party machines and their party bosses?

1) Direct primaries
2) Civil service reform
3) Initiative, referendum, and recall
4) All of the above

Answer 1

The reforms that weakened the power of local party machines and their bosses include direct primaries, civil service reform, and the procedures of initiative, referendum, and recall, representing all the options provided. The correct answer is option 4

Step-by-step explanation:

The reforms that weakened the power of state and local party machines and their party bosses include direct primaries, civil service reform, and the processes of initiative, referendum, and recall. Direct primaries allowed voters to select nominees for upcoming elections directly, reducing the power party bosses held in candidate selection.

Civil service reform aimed at filling public service jobs based on merit rather than favors, which undermined the political machines that thrived on patronage systems. Finally, the initiative, referendum, and recall processes allowed citizens to propose laws, approve or reject laws passed by the legislature.

And remove elected officials from office, respectively, all contributing to a decrease in the influence of political machines.

The correct answer to the student's question is 4) All of the above.