Inequality and Political Clientelism: Evidence from South India

TY - JOUR

T1 - Inequality and Political Clientelism: Evidence from South India

AU - Markussen, Thomas

PY - 2011/11

Y1 - 2011/11

N2 - Political parties can be vehicles for economic and social development in poor countries. They can also serve as rent seeking instruments. Uncovering how parties function is therefore key to establishing the preconditions for good governance. The article discusses when and why clientelism on the basis of party affiliation may arise. Operationally, party-based clientelism is defined as a bias of public policy in favour of members of the governing political party. In a sample of local governments in India, party-based clientelism is shown to exist in two out of four states and to be strongly affected by economic inequality.

AB - Political parties can be vehicles for economic and social development in poor countries. They can also serve as rent seeking instruments. Uncovering how parties function is therefore key to establishing the preconditions for good governance. The article discusses when and why clientelism on the basis of party affiliation may arise. Operationally, party-based clientelism is defined as a bias of public policy in favour of members of the governing political party. In a sample of local governments in India, party-based clientelism is shown to exist in two out of four states and to be strongly affected by economic inequality.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0022-0388

VL - 47

SP - 1721

EP - 1738

JO - Journal of Development Studies

JF - Journal of Development Studies

IS - 11

ER -