Susan J. Tolchin

Susan J. Tolchin discusses political patronage—awarding favors in exchange for political support. Pinstripe Patronage: Political Favoritism from the Clubhouse to the White House and Beyond, written with Martin Tolchin, looks at whether political patronage is an essential ingredient of effective governance or if patronage is the dark underbelly of American politics, and examines how it has changed over time—from the privatization of services once conducted by government to earmarks to defense contracts.