Reform Democrat
Encyclopedia
Reform Democrats in the United States
are members of the Democratic Party who are opposed to the Democratic political machine
s of their respective cities
, counties, or states
or to analogous machine politics at a national level. The term is usually used in contrast with machine-affiliated Regular Democrats. Reform Democrats are generally associated with the good government
traditions that arose out of the progressive
movement of the early 20th century, and are usually, but not always, on the left wing
of the Democratic Party.
The lines between anti-machine Reform Democrats and pro-machine Regular Democrats are not always clear: often, once reformers achieve office they often take advantage of patronage
to establish a machine in their own right. An example of this is the rise of the "Reform machine" of Jim Brennan in the wake of its triumph over the more traditional machine of Meade Esposito in Brooklyn
, New York
in the 1980s.
Although the term has somewhat fallen out of use since the 1970s, it still has some currency in Greater New York
, such as the Hudson County Reform Democratic Organization in New Jersey
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
are members of the Democratic Party who are opposed to the Democratic political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
s of their respective cities
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
, counties, or states
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
or to analogous machine politics at a national level. The term is usually used in contrast with machine-affiliated Regular Democrats. Reform Democrats are generally associated with the good government
Good government
Good government is a normative description of how government is supposed to be constituted. It has been frequently employed by various political thinkers, ideologues and politicians.- Thomas Jefferson and Good government :...
traditions that arose out of the progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
movement of the early 20th century, and are usually, but not always, on the left wing
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
of the Democratic Party.
The lines between anti-machine Reform Democrats and pro-machine Regular Democrats are not always clear: often, once reformers achieve office they often take advantage of patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
to establish a machine in their own right. An example of this is the rise of the "Reform machine" of Jim Brennan in the wake of its triumph over the more traditional machine of Meade Esposito in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the 1980s.
Although the term has somewhat fallen out of use since the 1970s, it still has some currency in Greater New York
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
, such as the Hudson County Reform Democratic Organization in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.