Plunkitt Of Tammany Hall Movie Vs Book

The book was better than the movie. Most of us have heard those words so many times that they’ve become a cliché. In the case of Starship Troopers, it would be more accurate to say that the book bears almost no resemblance to the movie. Citizens in the fictional society of Starship Troopers don’t take politics lightly, because they’ve earned the privilege to vote the hard way — through blood and personal sacrifice. The people of the Terran Federation are either "Citizens" or "Civilians". On the other hand, reading William L. Riordon’s Plunkitt of Tammany Hall provided an insight on many different themes at the turn of the twentieth including: honest graft, civil service reform, patronage, and how to succeed as a statesman. This book was an

interesting outlook on political corruption, when Tammany Hall was a political powerhouse, yet at the same time includes many contradictions.
Set in a future where space travel is common, Starship toopers is a first-person narrative told by Juan Rico, the only son of a wealthy family from the Philippines. Raised in security and comfort, when he reaches his eighteenth birthday, Johnny has every possible privilege, except one. He can’t vote, because the exercise of political franchise is not a right. It cannot be bought, and it can’t be conferred. It has to be earned, either by a term of military duty, or by some other form of difficult/hazardous public service. The reason behind this custom is a source of ongoing discussion throughout the book.
Everyone is born a "Civilian", and at age 18 every "Civilian" has the right to enroll for a minimal 2-year term of "Federal Service". In theory a completed term of Federal Service ensures a "Citizen" is willing to put the needs of the community before their own personal well-being. This is because Federal Service is tough and dangerous. It can involve joining the military, being a human guinea pig, testing survival equipment, or manual labor. The Federation makes it quite easy to quit a term of service before completion (even during war-time), but once someone has quit they are never allowed to enroll again. This is to ensure that all volunteers are dedicated, whilst also discouraging people from leaving.
In "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall," George Washington Plunkitt, born in New York, directed the constituents’ focus away from the political issues of the day, using the people simply as a means to an ultimate end of political empowerment and wealth for those who ran the machine. Indeed, although all politicians court their voters to a certain extent, there usually still exists a dialogue on political issues.
Plunkitt was a great supporter of the spoils system and the civil service reform was one of the first movements to threaten that system. The reform wanted jobs and offices held by merit, and Plunkitt thoroughly disagreed. This reform endangered Tammany Hall’s very existence. How were the men of Tammany Hall supposed to show patronage to their organization if jobs were restricted from their party? He goes as for to say, “This civil service law is the biggest fraud of the age. It is the curse of the nation. There can’t be any real patriotism while it lasts”. He successfully alters himself from poverty and becomes the main leader of the Fifteenth Assembly District, a political member of the Tammany Hall. For Plunkitt, the issue of being in the political world was more than just having the superior say to it.
Tammany Hall primarily worked in a patronage system, which was a factor in engaging new youths to the platform. As justified by Washington, he never participated in illegal activities. He was an aid to the working class and immigrants. However, Tammany Hall was symbolized as a political corruption, it was Riordon's responsibility to narrate Washington's outlook of the story.
In starship troopers, the Terran Federation has a multicultural society that votes for a global leader, similar to a representative democracy.

However people of higher levels of authority also have to suffer tougher repercussions of their actions: e.g. a lieutenant could hang for making a mistake that a private would merely be dismissed and maybe lashed for. Corporal and capital punishment are practiced by the government.
Plunkitt of Tammany Hill was an interesting look into the politics during a time when the Industrial Revolution flourished and the American people looked for leaders. In the Plunkitt of Tammany hall, the heart of a political machine is based on a patronage system. Special favors are performed for constituents who show their gratefulness by voting for the machine. In essence, they are bribed to vote. Progressive reformers saw this as anti-democratic.
One of Plunkitt’s main mottos was to stay close to the people. A statesman is more likely to be elected if the voters can relate to that candidate. Plunkitt boasted of his riches and of himself, which only distanced himself from the common people. At one point in the book, Plunkitt claimed his “enemies” told the townspeople that Plunkitt bought a very nice dress suit and an even nicer car the day before one of his elections. He maintained these statements were malicious lies and finally “did him in” or cost him the election. Why would his “enemies” have to make up contradictions about Plunkitt when he clearly states

them himself?
In starship troopers "Civilians" are neither discriminated against, nor deprived of legal rights other than that of the ballot. Several examples from the book bear this out, particularly the fact that Juan Rico's family is prosperous and lacks for nothing save the right to vote, which Rico's father regards as "useless" anyway. Only after completing a term of Federal Service can "Civilians" become "Citizens" and gain the right to vote.
Plunkitt wished for a monopolization of the political system in New York City.

He admitted that his fondest dream was of the city becoming its own state. He commented, “The people wouldn’t have to bother about nothin’. Tammany would take care of everything for them in its own quiet way.” This was the kind of talk that probably alarmed progressive reformers. One might argue that he relied too heavily on the spoils system, that today is still present, but a candidate cannot rely solely on this system. Plunkitt’s opinion of woman in politics as un-American would not go over well with today’s voters or at least half of the voters. In the twenty first century, most Americans look for a well-educated and well-dressed statesman, who at the same time can relate to the common people. The American people hold a higher standard today for political figureheads than at the turn of the last

century.
Ultimately in starship troopers, the story isn’t about high-tech weapons, star travel, or even the future. Stripped of its science fiction trappings, Starship Troopers is a thoughtful examination of the nature of military service. It explores the challenges of leadership, the interdependencies of responsibility and accountability, and the moral philosophies that differentiate a true Soldier from an armed brute who happens to wear a uniform. It’s a hard look at the relationship between a warrior, and the society that he or she is sworn to defend.
It would be unfair to state that Plunkitt and his political machine Tammany Hall did no good for the people of New York City. Indeed, the poor gained a much needed friend and political ally. Plunkitt helped to awaken politicians to the needs of their constituents and, ultimately, personalized the electorate. Yet, while these were certainly benefits to the machine, they could not outweigh its corruption and threat to democracy. These seeming ‘benefits’ were not the ultimate goal of politicians like Plunkitt. Rather, as he stated, he saw politics as a “game” and he was “gettin’ richer every day.” Ultimately, then, while the poor may have benefitted in the short term, they had no long term security.
The governments both required something from the citizens such as votes and military service in order to fulfill their political ambition and potential. After that, the citizens could have their rights and needs reached. I understand that those themes still exist in our real world and books could be very helpful in understanding our governments both the governments wanted something from the people, the votes and political allegiance, in exchange for their luxuries such as democracy, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These two governments were very unique in how they operated and organized. Tammany Hall and Starship Troopers have different governments. Tammany Hall focused on exchanging favors to votes. Plunkitt offered things and help to people who needed it in exchange for political allegiance. I believe the governments have the duty to take good care of people such as providing rights, jobs, safety, education and other benefits