This book explains variations in the effectiveness of vote buying. Current theory assumes that vote buying is effective, rotting democracy's foundations. Yet, evidence shows that it rarely succeeds. Against the Machine presents a partisan competition theory to explain why buying vote choices is typically ineffective, the conditions under which it occasionally succeeds, and why it persists despite meager electoral returns. Competitive elections arm voters with the psychological wherewithal to resist the influence of electoral gifts, deprive political machines of the information they need to target compliant clients, and reinforce belief in ballot secrecy. The success or failure of vote buying thus relies more on the capacity of opposition parties to compete rather than the prowess of political machines. Against the Machine provides a new account of vote buying that paints a more optimistic portrait of elections, voter behavior, and the chances for political accountability in new democracies.