Political machines were criticized because they placed unqualified people in public office. used tax payers money to support welfare systems. ignored the spoils system. favored fair employment practices.

The question of what caused the full effects of the radical stage, also called the second french revolution by some historians, which shook the political and social reforms in france have caught the attention of many scholars, particularly because of principles implemented during this stage which is contradictory to the fundamental principle of the french revolution itself, by using dictatorship to create equality.