This book shows different aspects of the notion of "clientelism" and offers a critical analysis of it. The notion is analyzed both as a scholarly concept and as a moral label enlisted by different actors (citizens, parties, NGOs, etc.) in order to denounce practices seen as moving away from the ideal of the free citizen. Written from a historic perspective, the book covers a large number of international cases.
Hélène Combes is head of research at the CNRS, which is associated with the CERI-Sciences Po. Her work is on political parties and social movements. She is the author of Faire parti. Trajectoires de gauche au Mexique (Karthala, 2011).
Gabriel Vommaro is a researcher at the Conseil national de recherches scientifiques et techniques (CONICET), research professor at the Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento in Argentina (Institute of Human Development, Department of Political Studies) and is in charge of education in political sciences at the same university. He is the author of many books and articles on political parties, clientelism, and the rapport between experts, the media, and politics.