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Connectivity, Clientelism and Public Provision

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  • Shami, Mahvish

Abstract

In many developing countries the rural poor often depend on patrons to act as brokers in order to get public provision from the government. The broker facilitates provision in return for securing peasants’ votes for politicians. Yet, low bargaining power of peasants allows patrons to appropriate public resources for themselves. I propose increasing peasants’ bargaining power by connecting them to markets outside their village. Making use of a natural experiment found in the construction of a motorway in Pakistan, I find public provision to be significantly higher in connected villages when compared to those which are isolated. Moreover, I find that the beneficial impact of connectivity is felt most strongly by the lower classes, who are most vulnerable to exploitation when isolated.

Suggested Citation

  • Shami, Mahvish, 2019. "Connectivity, Clientelism and Public Provision," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 49(4), pages 1227-1250, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:49:y:2019:i:04:p:1227-1250_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Cai, Meina & Zhang, Qi & Zhao, Xiaolu, 2024. "Social Embeddedness, Power Balance, and Local Governance in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    2. Shami, Mahvish, 2024. "What do brokers provide for urban slums?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122419, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Mahvish Shami, 2024. "What Do Brokers Provide for Urban Slums?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(5), pages 2252-2269, July.

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