Which term best describes someone who wanted to maintain political corruption?

• A. Reformer
• B. Stalwart
• C. Graft advocate
• D. Cartoonist

Answer: (B)

Think about labels used for political attitudes toward corruption. A reformer strives to end corruption, so that stance doesn’t fit someone who wants to preserve it. A stalwart, in historical political contexts, was a loyal party member who backed machine politics and resisted reforms that would reduce corruption; they favored keeping the patronage system in place. While a graft advocate would also align with supporting corruption, the term stalwart is the established label describing that loyalist stance within the party and its machines. A cartoonist has no inherent connection to endorsing or opposing corruption. So the term that best describes someone who wanted to maintain political corruption is the stalwart.