Political Reform and Anti-Corruption

Where it surfaces

• Practical Politics

  Roosevelt details his fight against corrupt politicians and financiers, emphasizing the need for clean conduct and practical efficiency in rooting out abuse.

• Applied Idealism

  Roosevelt's fight against the spoils system and his efforts to implement merit-based civil service exams exemplify anti-corruption reform.

• VI: The New York Police

  Roosevelt's central mission to remove partisan politics from the police department and fight corruption, including smashing corrupt contractors.

• VII: The War of America the Unready

  Roosevelt criticizes the 'foolish peace people' and politicians who kept the nation weak while engaging in bluster, advocating for a policy of righteous war over unrighteous peace.

• VIII: The New York Governorship

  Roosevelt's fight against the boss system and corporate influence in politics, exemplified by his push for the franchise tax bill and his refusal to let Platt dictate appointments.

• Appendix A

  Roosevelt criticizes political appointments of game wardens and calls for merit-based, efficient administration of state lands.

• Appendix B: The Political Situation in 1900

  Roosevelt's efforts to advance good legislation while navigating machine politics and corporate opposition.

• The Presidency; Making an Old Party Progressive

  Roosevelt discusses his fight against land thieves, his use of executive power to protect public lands, and his opposition to the 'commercialized ideals' of many politicians.

• The Natural Resources of the Nation

  He criticizes the narrow legalism and favoritism toward private interests that previously governed resource management, advocating for public welfare.

• The Big Stick and the Square Deal

  Roosevelt details his fight against corporate corruption and the need for government regulation to protect the public from the 'malefactors of great wealth.'

• Social and Industrial Justice

  Roosevelt fights privilege and uses government to enforce labor laws, opposing corporate exploitation.

• Appendix A: Socialism

  Roosevelt advocates for practical social reform over dogmatic socialism, aligning with anti-corruption and pragmatic governance.

• The Monroe Doctrine and the Panama Canal

  Roosevelt condemns Colombia's 'bandit morality' and the corrupt, irresponsible governance of Santo Domingo and Colombia, justifying U.S. intervention to restore order and justice.

• Appendix A

  Roosevelt condemns Colombian extortion and bad faith, framing U.S. actions as a response to corruption and folly.

• Appendix A: The Trusts, the People, and the Square Deal

  Roosevelt argues for increased government regulation of corporations to combat the 'oligarchy of wealth' and ensure a 'square deal' for the people.

• Appendix B: The Control of Corporations and 'The New Freedom'

  Roosevelt argues that Wilson's attacks are disingenuous and that the Progressive platform offers a real solution to trust abuses.

• Appendix C: The Blaine Campaign

  The controversy over Blaine's candidacy and the Mulligan letters reflects the era's concern with political corruption.

• Endnotes

  Roosevelt made reform respectable and enforced the 'square deal,' targeting trusts and corporate power.