Bias
A predisposition or inclination; a prejudice which may be favorable or unfavorable.

Bossism
The domination of a political organization by a boss.

City Manager System
A form of municipal administration modeled after the organization of a corporation, with a board of directors and a single executive appointed by and solely responsible to the board.

Critical thinking
Skillful, responsible thinking that is conducive to judgment because it relies on criteria, is self-correcting, and is sensitive to context.

Democracy
A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

Graft
Money or an advantage gained by unethical means.

Muckraker
Journalist of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century who investigated wrongdoing by politicians and businessmen.

Political machine
An organized group of people whose members are under the control of a strong leader.

Primary source
Firsthand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. Primary sources can be public or private, and they can be written, oral, visual or electronic.

Progressivism
A political and social reform movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Progressive reforms included prohibition, woman suffrage, child labor laws, and social welfare programs and charities.

Secondary source
Indirect discussion, judgment, or interpretation of a topic. It is often created after the time contemporary with the topic.