O patronage it is a relationship of exchange of favors between the citizen and the politician.
Its origins go back to the Roman Republic and can be found in various spheres of government power.
Historical Origin
Clientelism was already observed in the Roman Empire when the commoners depended on the patricians. These commoners became “clients” who received a “sponsorship”. In this way, both were obligated to provide assistance when requested.
The patricians had to help them economically or through judicial interventions and appointments. For their part, customers provided varied services.
In this way, the relationship between patricians and commoners, which was antagonistic, was also complementary because both classes depended on each other for survival. It is important to emphasize that clientelism was regulated by the laws of the Roman Republic.
Read more about Roman Republic.
Votes for Benefits
Currently, clientelism can be understood as an exchange of votes for favors between voters and politicians. Usually, this happens in societies where social inequality is very high and generates populist governments.
This establishes a relationship of dependence between voters and political leaders. The citizen starts to trust that being a friend of a politician will solve any economic and social problem that he may have. For his part, the politician knows that he will be able to count on a certain number of votes to be elected.
Patronage, however, is not a violent form of domination. It is based, above all, on mutual trust between voter and candidate.
Neither the voter nor the politician think in the long term. What matters is being elected to the next election and there reaping the maximum possible benefits, whether in appointments or in material goods.
Know more about Populism.
Clientelist Relations in Brazil
In Brazil we have a large number of examples of clientelism that range from buying votes to distributing benefits only at election time.
Likewise, we check for clientelism when the elected candidate has to repay support for his election with nominations from people who are not. qualified for public office, intervention in the state bureaucracy and favoring allies over others outside their circle of support.
Coronelismo, predominant at the time of First Republic, favored this type of relationship in Brazil.
know more about Colonelism.
Clientelism vs. Corruption
Despite being a reprehensible practice typical of young democracies, clientelism should not be seen as corruption. Or, according to some scholars, it is the softer part of a corrupt society where the State works almost always in a personal way.
After all, patronage takes advantage of voters' need for them to be dependent. So it is difficult to judge a person who has nothing to eat, sell their vote for a basic food basket.
Not to be confused with nepotism, which is the practice of appointing relatives or people without capacity to public office.
Unlike clientelism, corruption occurs within well-defined boundaries, violating the country's established laws.
Example: when a businessman tries to benefit from his friendship with a political leader to obtain tax exemptions for his company, win a bid and evade fees.
