Clientelism

Clientelism has once again become an important area of study for political and social science as lately it has had resurgence in the last few decades and now. The definition of the term "Clientelism" is subject to debate as it has changed with each civilization. However in current Clientelism has key characteristics’, first being its dyadic. 

First is dyadic this is an agreement or relationship between two people. The two parties having the relationship are the client and patron in the Clientelism agreement. This relationship is such that a patron is seen as the one in control of resources and is the one in control. These resources that the patron has are made available to the client when certain requirements or goals are met. This relationship can be very complex and indirect with many levels. This means that the client in one arrangement can be a patron in another and we can consider the middle one as a broker. They are seen as the broker for they are essentially extending the resources from their patron to a client of their own. So the patron of them all is the one receiving the most benefit.

Secondly this relation is asymmetrical. This meaning that one has more power in the agreement. This usually is the patron that has the advantage and power from the clients. This will result in a hierarchal relationship between the patron and the client. The reason the patron tends to be the one in control is the fact that he has more knowledge or resources than the client. This means the patron can to a degree control the client to their own ends.

Thirdly, the clientelisic relationship is personal as well as enduring. This enduring quality is most evident in medieval Clientelism as it was passed down from father to son. This relationship is viewed as the king is the patron and the knights the clients and brokers as they are loyal to their king. Then the knights’ servants will be loyal to their knight, and so forth. This is still the case with current Clientelism as...