Editing Politician (section)

==Political corruption==
Historically, in patronage-based systems, especially in the 19th century, winning politicians replaced civil servants and government employees who were not protected by the rules of government service with their supporters, a so-called “[[spoils system]].” In response to the corruption this system fostered, government job reforms were introduced. These reforms required elected politicians to work with existing civil servants and officials to pursue long-term public interest goals, rather than simply rewarding their supporters. This shift aimed to reduce corruption and prioritize the integrity of [[government]] positions.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.4159/9780674020047 |title=Bureaucrats and Politicians in Western Democracies |date=1981 |last1=Aberbach |first1=Joel D. |last2=Putnam |first2=Robert D. |last3=Rockman |first3=Bert A. |isbn=978-0-674-02004-7 }}{{page needed|date=September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bersch |first1=Katherine |last2=Lotta |first2=Gabriela |title=Political Control and Bureaucratic Resistance: The Case of Environmental Agencies in Brazil |journal=Latin American Politics and Society |date=February 2024 |volume=66 |issue=1 |pages=27–50 |doi=10.1017/lap.2023.22 |doi-access=free }}</ref>[[File:Pendleton Act (1883)1of 2.jpg|thumb|An Act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United States, January 16, 1883; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789–1996; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives.]]
[[Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act|The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883]] passed by the U.S. Congress to combat corruption, favoritism in hiring, and the spoils system. It advocated hiring based on merit and protected civil servants from political influence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=National Archives |date=n.d. |title=Pendleton Act (1883) |url=https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/pendleton-act |website=Milestone Documents}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Aneja |first1=A. |last2=Xu |first2=G |date=2022 |title="Strengthening State Capacity: Postal Reform and Innovation During the Gilded Age" |url=https://www.nber.org/papers/w29852 |publisher=National Bureau of Economic Research}}</ref>

In the modern century, many laws have been put in place to protect employees and reduce [[political corruption]] and favoritism in employment, for example, the Mexican government introduced the Federal Law on Administrative Responsibilities of Public Officials (2002) which establishes professional and accountable standards for officials against corruption and the spoils system.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199288489.003.0009 |chapter=Administrative Law |title=Mexican Law |date=2005 |last1=Zamora |first1=Stephen |last2=Cossío |first2=José Ramlón |last3=Pereznieto |first3=Lenone |last4=Roldá n-Xopa |first4=José |last5=Lopez |first5=David |pages=287–320 |isbn=978-0-19-928848-9 }}</ref> 

Also, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 in the USA has established corruption to protect federal employees who report corruption, fraud, or other illegal activities within the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Congress.gov |date=2012 |title=Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012: 112th Congress (2011-2012) |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/743 |website=Congress.gov}}</ref>