Immigration and Urbanization Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

A Reformer is someone who aims to change government practices to reduce corruption and graft tied to political machines. In many cities, machine politics relied on corrupt deals and patronage to stay in power, so reformers pushed for cleaner elections, civil service reform, transparent budgeting, and nonpartisan or merit-based governance. The goal is to fix the system and curb abuses, not to participate in or support graft. That’s why the best way to describe a reformer is someone who wants to root out political corruption, rather than someone who would back graft, lead fundraising for the machine, or maintain corruption.