The discussion of politics in africa has been strongly shaped by the work of richard joseph, whose 1987 study ofnigerias second republic 19791983 has highlighted the importance of prebendal or neopatrimonial networks based on ethnic and regional solidarity throughout nigeria. Eisenstadt used the derived term neopatrimonialism to describe a mixed system in which formal institutions of modernity from the west are imitated, with most informal institutions remaining of a patrimonial nature. African politics, contemporary proponents picture africas current political. A crucial difference between the concept of patrimonialism and the contemporary concepts of totalitarianism and authoritarianism is that the patrimonial form tends to be associated with traditional, premodern, precapitalist societies. Neo patrimonialism, which is a modern form of the traditional patrimonial form of rule, is a mixed system. Neopatrimonialism in africa and beyond routledge studies in. Specifically, it focuses on the concept of neopatrimonialism as a means for analysing empirical evidence concerning perceived diffuse illegal practices entailing personal use of public and private administration resources in order to gain particularistic advantage. Patrimonialism is a form of governance in which all power flows directly from the leader. Apr 01, 2009 rethinking patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism in africa 1 the vastly different contexts and the variety of purposes to which the concept has been applied have diminished its analytical utility. The article goes on to further delineate patrimonialism from neopatrimonialism by stating something very similar to the definitions at the beginning of this document. Patrimonialism is a social system in which a royal elite rules through personal and arbitrary control over a bureaucracy and over slaves, mercenaries, and conscripts who have no power themselves and serve only to enforce the monarchs rule. Jan 24, 2010 neopatrimonialism is the foundation stone for the system which drives african politics. Neopatrimonialism is the foundation stone for the system which drives african politics.
In his 1973 book, traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism, shmuel n. Because it is social accepted, neopatrimonial politics have managed to permeate all political levels, affecting the distribution of resources and distorting development plans and diverting aid funds to ensure the survival of the system. Assessing decentralized and privatized tax administration. The endresult has been a juxtaposition of an apparently traditional patrimonial logic and modern formal state institutions derived from the western experience. We show that, contrary to conventional wisdom, african regimes vary both. Origin and definition of the term neopatrimonialism as a distinct term is generally held to have originated with shmuel n. Second, the traditional basis of patrimonial authority may be less pronounced in. Oct 12, 2012 daniel bachs chapter patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism. Neopatrimonialism and the political economy of economic. In contrast to weberian patrimonialism, neopatrimonialism retains at least a formal.
Neopatrimonial regimes and political transitions in africa. During the last decade, the concept of patrimonialism has become firmly embedded in political science and the sociological literature, being used primarily to explain the operation of bureaucracies in the underdeveloped world. Neopatrimonialism neopatrimonialism is a modern form of the traditional patrimonial system of rule, as a mixed system that includes elements of both patrimonialism and legalrational rule. Teichman, judith 2004, merging the modern and the traditional. Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism. The term neopatrimonialism was first used by eisenstadt 1973 to distinguish patrimonialism in traditional and modern contexts. Patrimonialism article about patrimonialism by the free. Eisenstadt shmuel n traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism from business 102 at the allied college of education, gujranwala. Whereas patrimonialism refers to a traditional form of government described by influential german sociologist max weber, the term neopatrimonialism is intended to signify that, following the imposition of the colonial state, african political systems can no longer be treated.
Buy traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism research papers in the social sciences by eisenstadt, s. But aspects of both the arbitrary use of power by rulers and the employment of mercenaries and retainers can be found in contemporary totalitarian societies. Traditional political structures may be categorised within two subtypes. Neopatrimonialism is a system of social hierarchy where patrons use state resources in order to.
It argues that clientelism is a ubiquitous feature of modern. Patrimonialism, neo patrimonialism and the study of the postcolonial state in subsaharan africa. The very essence of patrimonialism consists in the idea that the whole government authority and the economic rights which correspond to it, tend to be treated as privately appropriated economic advantages medard, 1996. He goes on to add that neopatrimonialism, unlike traditional patrimonialism, exists with bureaucratic systems and at least a pretense of legalrational state governmental legitimacy. Patrimonial systems have been far less stable and more prone to revolutions than. Pdf current usages of the terms patrimonial and neopatrimonial in the context. Neopatrimonialism revisited beyond a catchall concept. There is no distinction between the public and private domains. He therefore used the term neopatrimonialism to denote the operation of patrimonialism in modern. This last criterion implies that domination is secured by means of a. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Daniel bachs chapter patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism. By the 1970s, the concept of neopatrimonialism quickly gained quasihegemonic status in the study of subsaharan africa, largely through the work of jeanfrancois medard. Studies in comparative modernization series volume 90, issue 3 of studies in comparative modernization series.
Our allies the west, the occident are designing a new ideology for africa. Institutions, neopatrimonial politics and democratic development. Neopatrimonialism in africa and beyond routledge studies. Jun 27, 2016 the application of patrimonialism that is a mode of traditional administration to modern political system is at the origin of the use of the notion of neopatrimonialism instead of the one of patrimonialism. Neopatrimonialism revisited beyond a catchall concept pdf. The informalisation of the political process is one of the attributes of politics in africa. Patrimonialism in the causes of the division of the kingdom.
Webers patrimonial domination and its interpretations hinnerk bruhns 3. Personal rulership, patrimonialism and empire building in the new states. We dissect the logics of neopatrimonialism, a type of regime in which ruling elites. We dissect the logics of neopatrimonialism, a type of regime in which ruling elites use. Neopatrimonialism in africa and beyond 1st edition daniel. Eisenstadt, in his 1973 book traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism, deriving it from max webers term, patrimonialism, who used the term to describe a system of rule based on administrative and military personnel, who were responsible only to the ruler. He therefore used the term neopatrimonialism to denote the operation of patrimonialism in modern societies eisenstadt 1973. Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism, sage publications to explain the failure of. Neopatrimonialism, good governance, corruption and accounting in africa.
As such patrimonialism is a relatively broad term, not referring to any particular type of political system. In contemporary neopatrimonialism, relationships of loyalty and. Neopatrimonialism and subnational authoritarianism in. It has been found most often in asia and china in particular. Instead of the prevailing view that postcolonial states are condemned to their colonial design, and that authoritarian rule favors economic development, my study shows that nonwestern state formation is nonlinear and follows a cyclical pattern between predation and developmentalism, the excesses of which could be moderated. Specifically, the ideal t y pe of patrimonialism connotes that a patron. Pdf what neopatrimonialism is six questions to the concept. Notes on patrimonialism in africa theobald, bach, pitcher. Nothing, therefore, reminiscent of an integrated, systematic and coherent order based around the three principles of legitimacy legal, traditional and charismatic with which we have. Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism by eisenstadt, s. Neopatrimonialism, which is a modern form of the traditional patrimonial form of rule, is a mixed system. Latin america, neopatrimonialism, informal institutions, domination. Eisenstadt, in his 1973 book traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism 1, deriving it from max webers term, patrimonialism, who used the latter term to describe a system of rule based on administrative and military personnel, who were responsible only.
Patrimonialism connotes that a patron in a certain social and. The very essence of patrimonialism consists in the idea that the whole government authority and the economic rights which correspond to it, tend to be treated as privately appropriated. A patrimonial ruler may act alone or as a member of a powerful elite group or oligarchy. Eisenstadt shmuel n traditional patrimonialism and modern. Apr 12, 2011 the simplest way to define neo patrimonialism is to compare it with max webers term, patrimonialism. According to eisenstadt 1973, in modern societies, patrimonialism operated under more complex systems as the role of modern states was different. Ukpong, developments in biblical interpretation in modern africa, missionalia 273 november 1999. Key words neopatrimonialism, clientelism, patronage, good governance. This article examines the empirical basis of predictions and policy prescriptions. The big catechism is developmental but the real backdrop is. The african basis of democracy and politics for the common good. Although the rulers authority is extensive, he is not viewed as a tyrant.
Patrimonialism definition in the study of sociology. Neopatrimonialism in africa and beyond routledge studies in african politics and international relations book 1 kindle edition by bach, daniel c. Neopatrimonialism is said to account for trade policies, hyperinflation, economic stagnation, low investment in infrastructure, urban bias, andultimately, the lack of economic development in africa. It is often attributed to the dominance of big men, whose whims and caprices, as related to regime sustenance, overwhelm formal processes and prevent the institutionalisation of the democratic political process, thereby undermining democratic consolidation. To overcome the catchall use of the concept the authors.
In the case of neo patrimonialism, a mixed type of domination that brings together under a single government both modern usually urban and traditional mostly, but not exclusively rural social groups, its sources of legitimacy are simultaneously legal and traditional. The neo in neopatrimonialism stands for the formal institutions and rationallegal rule of the state, which coexi st along with patrimonial relations. Discussing neopatrimonialism and patronal presidentialism in. After carefully spelling out what patrimonialism and neo patrimonialism mean in the diverse regions of the world from africa to asian, latin america and asianpacific, the authors examine the implications of the use of the term and show that even in parts of the world. Neopatrimonialism, a system whereby rulers use state resources for personal benefit and to secure the loyalty of clients in the general population, is central to any teaching or conceptualisation of contemporary african politics. The case of ghana and nigerian airlines abstract this paper draws on the concept of neopatrimonialism eisenstadt, 1973. Beyond a catchall concept abstract the article provides a critical discussion of the literature on patrimonialism and neopatrimonialism as far as the use in development studies in general or african studies in particular is concerned. Definition of neopatrimonialism in the definitions. The simplest way to define neo patrimonialism is to compare it with max webers term, patrimonialism. Pdf neopatrimonialism, good governance, corruption and. Patrimonial authority and administration are no longer found in the pure form described by weber. Neopatrimonialism and agricultural development in africa. Neopatrimonialism is a modern form of the traditional patrimonial system of rule. Series studies in comparative modernization series sage research papers in the social sciences.
Within the african state, two mixed dual forms coexist and are articulated together in the same system. Jul 28, 2017 he therefore used the term neopatrimonialism to denote the operation of patrimonialism in modern societies eisenstadt 1973. The coexistence of patrimonial and legalrational bureaucratic types of domination is the distinctive feature of neopatrimonialism. The tale of two national african airlines abstract this paper draws on the concept of neopatrimonialism eisenstadt, 1973. Neopatrimonial domination systems thus combine arbitrary power, tra dition and rule. Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism, sage publications to explain the. Rethinking p soviet politics neopatrimonial perspective.
For weber, patrimonialism and feudalism are subtypes of traditional authority. Patrimonialism, form of political organization in which authority is based primarily on the personal power exercised by a ruler, either directly or indirectly. The role of formal organisations and informal networks and institutions, edited by marcussen, h. Persistence and change of neopatrimonialism in post. Neopatrimonialism in africa and beyond 1st edition. Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism in. Patriarchy and patrimonialism in early modern europe.
Economics merged with politics and military power in the global economy. Colonialism, neopatrimonialism, and hybrid state formation. A theoretical framework for understanding the practice of politics in africa from the colonial era onwards. He used it to describe a system of rule based on administrative and military personnel, who were responsible only to the ruler. The neopatrimonial state and the arab spring american university. Neopatrimonialism and public sector performance and reform. The model of the political entrepreneur daniel compagnon 5.
Traditional patrimonialism and modern neopatrimonialism sage research papers in social sciences, ser. Mikhail ilyin weberian notion of patrimonialism proved to be very productive and produced in contemporary scholarly literature a host of derivative terms and interpretations. Clientelism, patrimonialism and democratic governance. This book is a theoretical and comparative study of neopatrimonialism. A patrimonial system is based on informal or personal relationships.
Series sage research papers in social sciences, ser. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. It has been launched as a research project way back in 2011 and is now coming forward, with a claim to be the panacea of poverty in the african continent. Rethinking postsoviet politics from a neopatrimonial perspective.
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