Neopatrimonialism

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Under neopatrimonialism is a particularly common in Africa to more aptly, rule type called that (according to Max Weber's reign typology ) as a hybrid of classic patrimonial and legal-rational domination can be considered. As a type of regime , he is somewhere between autocracy and democracy . Characteristic components of neopatrimonialism are clientelism and political patronage .

definition

In Weber's typology of rule, patrimonialism (as a sub-type of traditional rule) is characterized by submission to the authority of a person, which is exercised through tradition and a (military) administrative staff . Under rational-legal rule, the arbitrariness of a person is replaced by an impersonal order ( bureaucracy ) and the separation of private and public spheres.

Elements of both types are found in neopatrimonial systems. The public rules ( laws and norms ) are formalized , but their practical application is mostly conveyed personally and on an informal level. The back and forth between the two 'logics' causes the population to remain uncertain about behavior and expectations.

Effects and characteristics

The personal arbitrariness, which also prevails in neopatrimonial systems, is related to authoritarian politics and the efficient economy of the rent economy . Under these conditions only the public office creates the possibility of being economically successful. Clientelism and political patronage relationships are the result.

While in historical, patrimonial clientelism, a patron gives a client a scarce good such as security, cattle, land, water, etc. In contrast to often only symbolic services, in neopatrimonial clientelism, public goods and services such as education, credits, licenses and, last but not least, public offices are also awarded, which have a clear redistributive effect. Political clientelism in particular is often to be found in which services and resources are 'exchanged' for political support such as votes (electoral clientelism ).

Political patronage refers to the benefits granted to certain social groups , mostly attached to ethnic groups in Africa , which are non-public and politically motivated. Widespread corruption and favors for relatives ( nepotism ) are among the consequences.

Examples

Neopatrimonial regimes are, for example, Eritrea , Cameroon , Kenya , Zimbabwe , but also Indonesia , Colombia and the Palestinian autonomous regions . Russia is also assigned to this type.

literature

  • Michael Bratton, Nicolas van de Walle: Democratic experiments in Africa. Regime transitions in comparative perspective. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge et al. 1997, ISBN 0-521-55429-2 , in particular pp. 61-96 ( Cambridge studies in comparative politics ).
  • SN Eisenstadt : Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism. Sage, Beverly Hills CA 1973 ( Sage research papers in the social sciences 1, ZDB -ID 192381-x ).
  • Ulf Engel: Neopatrimonialism. In: Rolf Hofmeier, Andreas Mehler (Hrsg.): Kleines Afrika-Lexikon. Beck, Munich 2004, ISBN 3-406-51071-X ( Beck'sche series 1569).
  • Jean-François Médard (ed.): États d'Afrique noire. Formations, mécanisme et crise. Editions Karthala, Paris 1991, ISBN 2-86537-313-4 , in particular pp. 323-353 ( Collection Hommes et sociétés ).
  • Peter Molt : Machiavellianism and Neopatrimonialism: On Political Rule in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Rupert Breitling, Winand Gellner (eds.): Machiavellism, parties and elections. Media and politics. Political studies for the 65th birthday of Prof. Dr. Erwin Faul. Maisch and Queck, Gerlingen 1988, pp. 90-107.
  • Peter Pawelka: Rule and Development in the Middle East: Egypt. Müller Juristischer Verlag, Heidelberg 1985, ISBN 3-8114-0685-X , especially pp. 22-97 ( Uni-Taschenbücher 1384 Political Science, Economics ).
  • Hannes Wimmer: The modernization of political systems. State, parties, public. Böhlau, Wien et al. 2000, ISBN 3-205-99202-4 , pp. 111-162.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Hans-Joachim Lauth: Political Systems in Comparison: Formal and Informal Institutions in the Political Process . Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG, 2014, ISBN 978-3-486-77906-6 ( google.de [accessed on December 3, 2016]).