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Politics & Government

Why Clientelism Persists Under Competitive Electoral Systems

Quick fact

Studies of elections in Argentina, Nigeria, and India show that clientelist vote-buying persists and even increases during competitive races, because parties' greater need for marginal votes raises the value of targeted gifts.

Why this is interesting

In many democracies, politicians still buy votes with cash, food, or jobs—even when elections are free and competitive. Why doesn't competition eliminate this old-fashioned exchange?