Clientelism

Clientelism is a political system where politicians provide material goods, services, or political favors to individual voters or small groups in exchange for their support, typically during elections. This creates a reliance on the politician for resources, fostering a personal relationship between the voter and the politician. While clientelism can help some individuals gain access to resources, it often undermines broader democratic processes by promoting loyalty based on immediate benefits rather than policy or ideology, leading to corruption and unequal power dynamics in society.