The Entrenchment of Clientelistic Practices: Methodological and Conceptual Issues of Transferability

Abstract

Political science’s enquiry into such deep embedded social practices as clientelism, necessitates new approaches within the discipline. This article explores the evolution of the interpretative approach from the periphery of scientific research, to the main alternative to positivist studies. The enquiries into the clientelist practices must account simultaneously for an inner, subjective dimension, as well as for a broader structural picture. Auyero’s (2000) study is explored both as an example of such a successful interpretative enquiry, as well an answer to the question of transferability. Because interpretative studies are focused on specificities and idiosyncrasies, it is hard to integrate them in comparative studies. Still, an analytical generalization is possible, as each case study adds value to the overall theoretical umbrella.

Keywords: Clientelism, Interpretative approach, Transferability, Case study

JEL Classification: D72