Five distinct types of local party organizations have developed. The machine is a party organization that recruits its members by the use of tangible incentives and is characterized by a high degree of leadership control over member activity. With the influx of poor immigrants the machine adopted a social welfare function. The abuses of the machine were curtailed through stricter voter registration laws, civil service reforms, competitive bidding laws, and the Hatch Act, which made it illegal for federal civil servants to take part in most political activities. Furthermore, their interest in winning elections meant that machines supported popular candidates, regardless of ideology.
Ideological parties value principle above all else.
Because of their unwillingness to compromise, ideological parties are typically third parties such as the Socialist, Prohibition, or Libertarian parties. However, some local organizations within the two major parties fit into this category. Ideological parties are marked by intense internal conflict over issues, and leaders have little room for maneuvering and bargaining. Solidary groups are composed of people who find politics fun. Sponsored parties can be created without patronage, or ideology, or members who find the work fun if some other organization provides money and workers for a local party.