Clientele Policy
Clientele policy describes the pursuit of a policy that ignores the common good . The actors involved pursue their own interests for the benefit of their clientele and make decisions that can also be detrimental to the general public. The balancing of different partial interests is neglected in favor of a single interest.
In general language, the term clientele politics is mainly used as a political catchphrase to criticize the respective political opponent. There is no general scientific definition of the term. The boundaries to phenomena such as corruption , lobbyism and nepotism are fluid.
Clientelism takes place in the relationship between a patron and a client (see clientelism ). The prerequisites for a relationship between patron and client are social inequality and the exchange of benefits or services. The services of the patron are protection, security, mediation and representation of interests. In return , the client offers allegiance and loyalty. This relationship becomes political when it comes to the exchange between a politician and his supporters (voters). Such political relationships are characterized by election campaigns that are not oriented towards programs but towards people.
In modern societies, patron-client relationships are primarily relationships within large networks between groups (clans, factions, “ schools ”, etc.). However, the personal relationship between two people is important for individual participation in a network, as it creates security and trust.
If clientele politics prevail in a democracy , there is a risk that public discussion of political issues will turn into a farce when decisions are negotiated in a private relationship between patron and client and presented as a general decision. This also makes corruption easier.
As an advantage of clientelism is called in science that this is another form of advocacy is. Access to the decision-making bodies is simplified through the relationship structures. In this way, interests can be channeled successfully and avoiding conflicts.
Examples
The accusation of clientele politics was raised in the German political dispute, for example, in the following cases:
- the FDP for supporting the interests of the liberal professions and the lowering of the VAT rate for the hotel industry in connection with a donation from August von Finck junior
- the SPD because of union-friendly politics, especially because of the subsidization of the German coal mining industry
- CDU and CSU for supporting German agriculture , the displaced or big business
- Alliance 90 / The Greens in connection with the promotion of renewable energies
- The left in connection with old SED cadres and NVA members, for example with regard to the defense of their pensions
However, an unequivocal, objective classification as clientele policy at the expense of the general public is hardly possible. The use of the term is always associated with a political evaluation.
Political action in favor of the wealthy as clientele
According to a research report from 2016 on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs , the preferences of social groups are taken into account to varying degrees in political decisions in Germany. Data from the period between 1998 and 2015 were evaluated. There is a clear correlation between decisions on the attitudes of people with higher incomes, but none or even a negative correlation for those with low incomes.
literature
- Hüstebeck, Momoyo (2004): Clientele politics as a cross-cultural phenomenon. An approach to clientelism concepts. Dynasties and Female Political Leaders in Asia. Project Discussion Paper No. 6/2004, University of Duisburg-Essen and University of Erlangen-Nuremberg ( PDF )
- Piattoni, Simona (ed.) (2001): Clientelism, Interests, and Democratic Representation: The European Experience in Historical and Comparative Perspective . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-80477-9
- Nolte, Hans-Heinrich (ed.) (1989): Patronage and clientele. Results of a Polish-German conference. Cologne and Vienna: Böhlau, ISBN 3-412-10188-5
- Weber Pazmiño, Gioa (1991): Clientelism. Approaching the concept. Dissertation from the University of Zurich. Zurich: ADAG
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ dpa / cn: Brandenburg: Stasi past is worthwhile for officials. In: welt.de . January 21, 2010, accessed October 7, 2018 .
- ↑ Lea Elsässer, Svenja Hense, Armin Schäfer: Systematically distorted decisions? The responsiveness of German politics from 1998 to 2015. Ed .: Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (= poverty and wealth reporting of the federal government ). 2016, ISSN 1614-3639 .