clientelism

American  

[klahy-uhn-tel-iz-uhm] / ˌklaɪ ənˈtɛlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. any social or political system characterized by favoritism or patronage, in which patrons, or those in power, confer favors on their clients, who are their active supporters.

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Other Word Forms

• clientelist
  noun
• clientelistic
  adjective

Example Sentences

"The citizens' movement against corruption and clientelism is being organised and will soon be ready to seek society’s vote," Maria Karystianou, who lost her daughter in the 2023 disaster, told reporters late Friday.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

Fico was forced to resign in favour of Pellegrini after the murder of an investigative journalist in 2018 sparked mass protests against public graft and clientelism.

From Reuters • Mar. 7, 2023

Issues raised in the reports include clientelism, favoritism, nepotism, corruption, pressure on the media and questions about judicial independence.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2021

In a country awash in clientelism and corruption, Tunisians were taken by his austerity and integrity.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2019

“If the community continues to participate in clientelism, it’s suicidal in view of the social and economic situation,” he says in the Café de la Loge, across the street from the 14th-century town hall.

From The Guardian • Sep. 5, 2019