Final answer:
A political machine is an informal political group aiming to gain and retain power, often led by a party 'boss' such as Tammany Hall's 'Boss' Tweed. It functions through a system of patronage, providing services to citizens in exchange for political support, and is known for its corrupt practices like graft and bribery.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is a Political Machine and How Does It Operate?
A political machine is an informal political group whose main goal is to gain and maintain power. It is often led by a single, powerful party 'boss'. These machines are characterized by a high degree of control over member activities and are typically found in large urban areas. An example of such a political machine is Tammany Hall, which was run by 'Boss' William Tweed in New York during the 19th century.
Political machines operate on a system of patronage, where citizens receive direct assistance with their immediate problems—such as jobs, housing, or infrastructure improvements—in return for their promise of political support, usually in the form of votes. In essence, they provided timely solutions for citizens, while ensuring votes for the machine's political candidates. This approach enabled political machines to control election results and thereby maintain a hold on local government systems.
Though they sometimes addressed community needs, political machines were notorious for their corrupt practices, often involving graft and bribery. In the case of Tammany Hall, the organization directed votes towards city politicians who would, in turn, allocate funds for community projects. These funds were then used to pay associates of the machine, typically at inflated costs, which allowed for kickbacks to the machine's operators.