The clientelism it is a relationship of exchange of favors between the citizen and the politician.
Its origin dates 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 plebeians depended on the patricians. These commoners became “clients” who received a “sponsorship”. In this way, both were obliged to provide assistance when requested.
The patricians were to help them economically or through judicial interventions and appointments. For their part, customers provided a variety of services.
In this way, the relationship between patricians and plebeians, which was antagonistic, was also complementary because both classes depended on each other for survival. It is important to note that patronage was regulated by the laws of the Roman Republic.
Read more about the Roman Republic.
Benefit Votes
Currently, patronage can be understood as an exchange of votes for favors between voters and politicians. This usually happens in societies where social inequality is very high and generates populist governments.
This establishes a relationship of dependence between voters and political leaders. Citizens come to trust that by being friends with a politician, he will resolve any economic and social dispute 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.
Clientelism, however, is not a violent form of domination. It is based, above all, on mutual trust between voter and candidate.
Neither voters nor politicians think in the long term. What counts is being elected to the next election and getting the maximum possible benefits there, whether in appointments or in material goods.
Learn more about Populism.
Customer Relations in Brazil
In Brazil we have a large number of examples of clientelism, ranging from buying votes to distributing benefits only at election time.
Likewise, we see clientelism when the elected candidate has to reciprocate the support for his election with appointments of unqualified people to public positions, intervention in the state bureaucracy and favoring allies to the detriment of others outside his support circle.
Coronelismo, predominant at the time of the First Republic, favored this type of relationship in Brazil.
Learn more about Coronelismo.
Customerism x Corruption
Despite being a reprehensible practice and typical of young democracies, clientelism should not be seen as corruption. Or else, according to some scholars, it is the softest part of a corrupt society where the State almost always works in a personal way.
After all, clientelism takes advantage of voters' need to make them dependent. So it is difficult to judge a person who has nothing to eat, sell your vote for a basic basket.
Not to be confused with nepotism, which is the practice of appointing relatives or people with no abilities to public office.
Unlike clientelism, corruption occurs within well-defined boundaries, violating established country laws.
Example:when a businessman tries to take advantage of his friendship with a political leader to obtain tax exemptions for his company, win a bid and evade taxes.