Political boss

A boss, in politics, is a person who controls a unit of a political party. They do not necessarily control the government there. The "Ward boss" controls the party in a ward, the alderman is the corresponding government official. Numerous politicians in that unit are subordinate to the single boss in party affairs. Each party in the same ward or city may have its own boss; that is, the Republican boss of Ward 7 controls Republican politics, while the Democratic boss controls his party there. Reformers sometimes allege that political bosses are likely guilty of corruption. Bosses may base their power on control of a large number of votes. When the party wins, they typically control appointments in their unit, and have a voice at the higher levels. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves; most historical bosses did not, at least during the times of their greatest influence.

History

The appearance of bosses has been common since the Roman Republic, and remains fairly widespread today, particularly in undeveloped nations. Bosses were a major part of the political landscape during the 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, such as the political machine of Tammany Hall, who controlled financing of campaigns and influence via owing of favors to arrange patronage public appointments.