Making it Personal: Clientelism, Favors, and the Personalization of Public Administration in Argentina

Argentina’s Politicized Bureaucracy: A Historical Analysis of Two Political Regimes

“…Political brokers possess a type of knowledge that many other political actors lack-a knowledge of neighborhood dynamics that allows them to influence local politics (Zarazaga, 2014). Whether citizens ask for help in any given area, those within the public administration who support the incumbent (who may have secured their jobs through patronage agreements) count on ample discretion to grant favours both inside and outside the bureaucracy by means of personal interactions (Oliveros, 2016). The example that opened this article hints at the effect of bureaucratic discretion over a recipient's request, especially when granted a favour by her public agency's contact person.…”

“…The fulfillment of the implicit contractual agreement between political brokers and elected representatives evinces the loyalty of brokers within the bureaucracy toward political appointees or elected representatives to ensure the tenure of those in positions of power (Oliveros, 2016). Therefore, bureaucracy appears to act as a cog in a political machine that seeks loyalty to the regime as a means to maintain its hold on power.…”

“…The personalization of public administration in Argentina -through favours and political patronage-has been widely investigated (Calvo & Murillo, 2004Oliveros, 2016;Szwarcberg, 2012;Zarazaga, 2014). Clientelism can be defined as the unequal relationship of power based on exchanges of political favours for material benefits, or "the proffering of material goods in return for electoral support" (Stokes, 2011, p. 649).…”

“…Clientelism can be defined as the unequal relationship of power based on exchanges of political favours for material benefits, or "the proffering of material goods in return for electoral support" (Stokes, 2011, p. 649). A recent study (Oliveros, 2016), for instance, eloquently links clientelism with the powerful role of political brokers to provide services to citizens that exceed the exchange of mere goods and social benefits. A first approximation to the matter would lead one to believe that there is a tacit relationship between public administrators and elected representatives, whereby the former are pressed or coerced to comply with the political agenda of these groups in power (Calvo & Murillo, 2004Oliveros, 2016;Szwarcberg, 2012;Zarazaga, 2014).…”

“…A recent study (Oliveros, 2016), for instance, eloquently links clientelism with the powerful role of political brokers to provide services to citizens that exceed the exchange of mere goods and social benefits. A first approximation to the matter would lead one to believe that there is a tacit relationship between public administrators and elected representatives, whereby the former are pressed or coerced to comply with the political agenda of these groups in power (Calvo & Murillo, 2004Oliveros, 2016;Szwarcberg, 2012;Zarazaga, 2014). However, a closer analysis unveils a complex political network behind the personalized interactions between public administrators and citizens as mediated by brokers.…”