The correct answer is c. prevent political interference.
1. The 1978 Civil Service Reform Act aimed primarily to prevent political interference with the decisions and actions of governmental organizations.
2. This law was established to promote a merit-based system in the civil service, ensuring that hiring, promotions, and other personnel actions are based on qualifications and performance rather than political factors.
3. By reducing political interference, the Act sought to enhance the professionalism, effectiveness, and efficiency of the federal government, leading to better governance and public service delivery.
Therefore, the key purpose of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act was to safeguard the integrity and independence of governmental organizations from undue political influence.