Client politics

Pork-barrel politics refers to the pursuit of a policy excluding the common good. The relevant actors pursue their own interests in favor of their clients and make decisions that can also go to the expense of the general public. The balancing of different interests part is neglected in favor of a single interest.

In general language, the term clientelism is mainly used as a political slogan for criticism of the respective political opponents. A general scientific definition of the term does not exist. The limits to phenomena such as corruption, lobbying and nepotism are fluid.

Clientelism takes place in the relationship between a patron and a client instead (see clientelism ). Prerequisite for a relationship between patron and client are social inequality and the exchange of services or services. The achievements of the patron are safety, security, mediation and advocacy. The client provides for allegiance and loyalty. Politically, this relationship when it comes to the exchange between a politician and his supporters ( voters ). As a characteristic of such political relations campaigns that are not oriented to programs, but to persons apply.

In modern societies, it is in patron-client relationships all about relationships within large networks between groups ( clans, factions, " schools ", etc.). However, the personal relationship between two people is important for the individual participating in a network because it creates security and confidence.

If clientelism abound in a democracy, there is a danger that public discussion of political issues into a farce, when decisions negotiated in a private relationship between patron and client, and are presented as a general decision. In addition, this facilitates corruption.

As an advantage, the clientele policy is called in science, that it is another form of advocacy. Here, the access to the decision-making bodies is simplified by the relation structures. In this way, interests can be channeled successfully and konfliktvermeidend.

Examples

The charge of political patronage was raised in the German political debate, for example, in the following cases:

• The FDP because of the support of the interests of the professions and subsidization of the hotel industry in connection with a donation of August von Finck junior
• The SPD because of pro-union policies, especially because of the subsidization of the German coal mining industry
• CDU and CSU because of the support of German agriculture, displaced or of 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 regarding the defense of those pensions

However, an unambiguous, objective classification as political patronage at the expense of the general public is hardly possible. The use of the term is thus always entails a political assessment.