Supporters of the spoil system claimed it made government more efficient because like-mines individuals cooperated. opponents claimed it made government less efficient because

Because those that knew the trade and worked hard for the job often did not get the job unless they knew someone. And sometimes people in the spoil system did not know how do their job.  It wasn't merit based. Like is someone worked their whole life to be a doctor and a high school graduate becomes a doctor because they knew a friend who could hire them.

detente translated to english means politics