Clıentalısm

 

Ruining Air Malta to win elections - ADPD

   Clientelism can be explained as the barter of goods and services that political parties or candidates make with voters to collect political support (votes). In addition, these goods can only be distributed non-material through tenders, contracts or privatizations. There is a conditional situation between the voter and the candidate, that is, they have responsibilities from both sides. Although this seems to be mutual benefit, there is an unequal relationship between them. The concept of clientelism is an ancient concept, it has its origins in Rome. In Rome, it was used to mean like refugee. However, today it is generally used as a client-boss relationship. Here, politicians are bosses, citizens-voters are clients.

   In clientelism, those in political power, those who vote for them are given state ownership and the right to exercise privileges. In this way, they make citizens dependent on themselves. They deprive citizens who do not vote for themselves of these goods and services, so, it is a kind of punishment. It is a dangerous practice for a democratic administration. However, political parties use this method to get election support. Political parties produce policies according to the target mass. There are factors that influence the decision of political parties or leaders to use this method. Firstly, the democratic structure of the country affects the decision of political parties to use clientelistic connections in elections and while in power. Clientelism is more common in countries where democracy does not work well. This enables political parties to get closer to the clientelistic methods to get power. Here, it is an important factor in supervisory institutions. Institutions must work independently and impartially. Tenders and contracts made must be made for the public interest and shown publicly. In other words, the lack of transparency can pave the way for such applications. Moreover, problematic democracy can make minority groups of all kinds more vulnerable to such practices. This can affect the behavior of political parties. In addition to these, election rules are an important factor. Confidentiality and security of elections are important. Security breaches can encourage situations such as buying votes and evasion. This is an important factor for political parties to establish clientelistic linkages.

  In addition, the prominence of candidacy can activate clientelistic linkages. Personalization of elections can create such applications. Second, poverty and the economic status can influence the decision to use clientelistic linkage for political parties. Political parties can use citizens' livelihood problems to vote for themselves. It can create some kind of vote buying opportunity as poor people are more in need of help. These people have lower expectations. Voters' expectations are higher when economic development is higher. In this way, a decrease in the clientalistic linkages can be seen. Income inequalities are also an important factor affecting the usage decision. Even economic development has raised, the growing gap between rich and poor could affect lower and upper middle class voters. This can encourage clientalism. Third, the level and quality of education in a country affects the decision to use clientelistic linkages for political parties. This is related to the economic status of the citizens. If the education level and quality in the country is low, citizens may be more prone to clientelistic linkages. Short-term goals rather than long goals are more attractive to them. Education level has a significant influence on the voting behavior. Today, although the rate of education has increased, the fact that political parties still tend to clientelistic linkages shows that the quality of education is also an important factor.

   As a result, there are many various political, economic and social factors that affect the use of clientelistic linkages for political parties to gain electoral support. In the post-democratic period we are in, such practices have become more common and reproduce themselves through many different channels.