Pendletonregeln

The Pendleton Rules, also known as the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, were a landmark piece of United States legislation that fundamentally altered the system of federal employment. Prior to the Pendleton Rules, the federal bureaucracy was largely based on the spoils system, where government jobs were awarded to political supporters of the winning party. This often led to inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of expertise within government agencies.

The Pendleton Rules established a merit-based system for federal appointments. They created the United States Civil Service Commission, which was tasked with overseeing competitive examinations for various government positions. This meant that individuals seeking federal employment would be hired based on their skills and qualifications rather than their political connections. The act also prohibited political coercion of federal employees and established rules against firing employees for political reasons.

The long-term impact of the Pendleton Rules was significant. They helped professionalize the civil service, making it more efficient and impartial. This shift away from patronage laid the groundwork for a more stable and effective government bureaucracy. While the Civil Service Commission was later abolished, the principles of merit-based hiring and protection from political interference established by the Pendleton Rules remain central to the operation of the federal government in the United States.