We explain what clientelism is and how it is classified. We also explain its general characteristics, causes and consequences.
What is Clientelism?
It is called political clientelism or simply clientelism. Selective management of state resources by some officialsfavouring the interests of third parties (their clients) in exchange for electoral support. This is an unofficial exchange of favours, which is now classified as a recognisable form of corruption.
Thus, clientelism favors private interests through public resourcestipping the balance in their favour in administrative decisions, court rulings, concessions, tenders, etc. At the same time, these corrupt officials often use the power acquired through clientelist practices as a form of punishment, to harm those who do not respond to their interests or oppose the system.
This phenomenon It usually occurs in poorly institutionalized regimes or with poor oversight, often around large commercial media outlets and large corporate groups.
See also: Demagogy.
Meaning of the term Clientelism
The term clientelism It arises in the context of the pursuit of corruptionto indicate that the State is not operating on the basis of impartiality and equity of the Law, but rather on the basis of a direct relationship with one or a group of clients, that is, something closer to a commercial procedure than a strictly bureaucratic or administrative one. In short: the State favors its clients, rather than society as a whole.
Discretion of clientelism
Discretion in the allocation of public resources It is a key symptom of clientelismThis means that appointments that should be made through open, impartial public competition are instead made “by handpicking” or by the election of the officials themselves, thus favouring the private interests they represent. Patronage is a stumbling block to the proper functioning of public institutions.
Rewarding clientelism
In exchange for these benefits, The favored third parties repay the official for his favorsthrough various support mechanisms: electoral financing, direct and indirect payments, or simply open political support.
This also takes place When a politician uses state resources to promote his imageby printing their name or face on charity products, social programs, etc., suggesting explicitly and implicitly that such aid is not a task of the State but a show of generosity on the part of the official, which should be reciprocated later. The voter thus becomes a client and must pay for the aid with his vote.
Types of clientelism
Three forms of clientelism are usually distinguished, according to their specific conditions:
- Forced clientelism. It occurs when the “client” is in precarious, destitute or needy conditions, which put him at a disadvantage compared to the official whose help he needs. Thus, it is a form of domination rather than favouritism.
- Illusionary clientelism. It occurs when corruption generates a certain degree of identification and loyalty between client and official, even if this is nothing more than a consequence of mutual benefit.
- Modern clientelism. This occurs without the applicant for aid knowing the identity of the official who grants it, but still giving discretion based on other types of reasons, not always explicit or recognized.
Synonyms for clientelism
Some synonyms for clientelism are: favoritism, corruption, nepotism (when it comes to inserting relatives into power), cronyism, influence peddling or buying consciences.
Causes of clientelism
For clientele relationships to occur, it is necessary a set of unmet needs that can be capitalized into votes; or significant margins of invisible or uncontrollable power in society, such as business forces, drug trafficking, etc., against which the State’s institutions are weakened.
Consequences of clientelism
By hindering the proper functioning of the State and democratic institutions, clientelism It represents a decrease in the Human Development Indexessince the resources that should go towards satisfying those most in need, instead go to powerful third parties, thus adding to the nation’s inequality rate.
On the other hand, clientelism can help a political party perpetuates itself in power far beyond what would correspond to itsince many state inputs are used to indirectly or silently campaign in favor of the party of the politicians who assign them.
Fight against corruption
The fight against influence peddling, embezzlement and clientelism is a difficult issue in most countries, especially in those with weak institutions, as is the case in most of the democracies of the so-called Third World. Only a thorough and An exemplary pursuit of corruption can combat this political scourge.
Domination and dependence on clientelism
Clientelism is part of the republican vices that generate mechanisms of dependency and that They blur the boundaries of political and professional ethics.
Clients, most of the time, are not in an equal position with respect to the official, but are in some way subject to him out of necessity; although in other cases, as occurred in Colombia during drug trafficking in the 1990s, The official is pressured or bought by his clientswhich will benefit him during his administration.
Examples of clientelism
Two classic examples of clientelism are:
- A governing party allocates more resources to mayors or municipalities administered by candidates of the same political leaning as it, and less to those administered by the opposition.
- A construction company finances the campaign of a presidential candidate, and once the candidate is elected, it appoints one of the company’s executives as an advisor and grants the company a tender for public works projects under his administration.