Final answer:
The statement about the self-perpetuating system of gerrymandering is true. Politicians in gerrymandered districts are unlikely to change rules that benefit their hold on power. Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries to advantage incumbents, thus perpetuating their control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement posits that the system of gerrymandering is perpetuating itself since the politicians elected through these gerrymandered districts are the ones in charge of the rules, and hence unlikely to relinquish their control. This statement is generally considered to be true based on the evidence that political redistricting has been a continuous practice where incumbents have the power to draw districts to their advantage. Consequently, these districts ensure the maintenance of the status quo and create non-competitive elections which benefit those currently in power.
Gerrymandering is the process of drawing political boundaries to give one party or group an advantage over another and it has been a significant issue in American politics. Politicians have the incentive to create districts that secure their reelection and perpetuate their incumbency, often at the expense of fair competition and representation. Efforts to combat this practice include taking the power of redistricting away from state legislatures to create more balanced electoral outcomes.