Evading the Patronage Trap

Author

Palmer-Rubin, Brian

Year

2022

Publisher

University of Michigan Press

Type

BOOK

Description

Why have Latin American democracies proven unable to confront the structural inequalities that cripple their economies and stymie social mobility? Brian Palmer-Rubin contends that we may lay the blame on these countries’ systems of interest representation, which exhibit “biased pluralism,” a system in which the demands of organizations representing economic elites—especially large corporations—predominate. A more inclusive model of representation would not only require a more encompassing and empowered set of institutions to represent workers, but would also feature spaces for non-eliteproducers—such as farmers and small-business owners to have a say in sectoral economic policies. With analysis drawing on over 100 interviews, an original survey, and official government data, this book focuses on such organizations and develops an account of biased pluralism in developing countries typified by the centrality of patronage—discretionarily allocated state benefits. Rather than serving as conduits for demand-making about development models, political parties and interest organizations often broker state subsidies or social programs, augmenting the short-term income of beneficiaries, but doing little to improve their long-term economic prospects. When organizations become diverted into patronage politics, the economic demands of the masses go unheard in the policies that most affect their lives, and along the way, their economic interests go unrepresented.

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World Wide E-Library

Evading the Patronage Trap

Description

Der "ebenso effiziente Wettbewerber"

Der "ebenso effiziente Wettbewerber"

Data Justice and the Right to the City

Data Justice and the Right to the City

Ike's Letters to a Friend, 19411958

Ike's Letters to a Friend, 19411958

Bread and Circuses

Bread and Circuses

Fairness, Globalization, and Public Institutions

Fictions of African Dictatorship

Fictions of African Dictatorship