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Patrons and Clients, Jobs and Machines: A Case Study of the Uses of Patronage

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  • Johnston, Michael

Abstract

How are patronage rewards allocated within a political machine? This article studies the distribution of 675 CETA Title I jobs within a New Haven machine. Data suggest that the jobs were used as patronage, but that patronage allocations did not follow conventionally assumed patterns of organization maintenance. Ethnic particularism overshadowed, and in fact redefined, considerations of vote-maximization and recruitment of workers. Questionnaire data suggest that those hired were not highly active politically, either before or after hiring, a finding contrary to normal suppositions about patronage recipients. The seemingly anomalous (and perhaps even counterproductive) patronage allocations become understandable, however, viewed in light of some problems and contradictions inherent in patron-client politics. These involve the inflexibility of job-based incentive systems, qualifications on assumptions of reciprocity, and the “aging” of the organization.

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  • Johnston, Michael, 1979. "Patrons and Clients, Jobs and Machines: A Case Study of the Uses of Patronage," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 73(2), pages 385-398, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:73:y:1979:i:02:p:385-398_16
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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Weijia & Roland, Gérard & Xie, Yang, 2020. "Erosion of state power, corruption control, and political stability," BOFIT Discussion Papers 5/2020, Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition.
    2. Larcinese, Valentino & Snyder, James M. & Testa, Cecilia, 2013. "Testing Models of Distributive Politics using Exit Polls to Measure Voters’ Preferences and Partisanship," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(4), pages 845-875, October.
    3. Farida, Mohamad & Ahmadi-Esfahani, Fredoun Z., 2006. "Corruption and economic development: A critical review of literature," 2006 Conference (50th), February 8-10, 2006, Sydney, Australia 139727, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    4. Michael Johnston, 2000. "Corruption et démocratie : menaces pour le développement, possibilités de réforme," Revue Tiers Monde, Programme National Persée, vol. 41(161), pages 117-142.
    5. Callen, Michael & Gulzar, Saad & Hasanain, Ali & Khan, Muhammad Yasir & Rezaee, Arman, 2023. "The political economy of public sector absence," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    6. Michael Callen & Saad Gulzar & Syed Ali Hasanain & Muhammad Yasir Khan, 2016. "The Political Economy of Public Sector Absence: Experimental Evidence from Pakistan," NBER Working Papers 22340, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Daniel Kaufmann & Massimo Mastruzzi & Diego Zavaleta, 2003. "Sustained Macroeconomic Reforms, Tepid Growth: A Governance Puzzle in Bolivia?," Development and Comp Systems 0308003, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Maria C. Lo Bue & Kunal Sen & Staffan I. Lindberg, 2021. "Clientelism, public goods provision, and governance," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-98, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    9. Li, Weijia & Roland, Gérard & Xie, Yang, 2020. "Erosion of state power, corruption control, and political stability," BOFIT Discussion Papers 5/2020, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    10. repec:zbw:bofitp:2020_005 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Kathleen A. Kemp, 1986. "Race, Ethnicity, Class and Urban Spatial Conflict: Chicago as a Crucial Test Case," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 23(3), pages 197-208, June.
    12. V. Vijayalakshmi, 2006. "Corruption and Local Governance: Evidence from Karnataka," Working Papers id:311, eSocialSciences.

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