Patrimonialism is a political hierarchical system whereby clients engage in a relationship of reciprocity and dependence with a patron or patron. The personal authority of the ruler is an important feature here. The term is associated with patronage, but goes beyond that. Where patronage is limited to the relationship between pattern and client, patrimonism concerns the more abstract socio-political system as a whole.
In classical patrimonism, which featured in feudal Europe, loans were granted to privileged nationals, with personal loyalty playing a major role. Patrimonial posts came from the personal relationship with the ruler rather than an objective need to fulfill a bureaucratic task. In a patrimonial state, the government is an extension of the ruler and its proximity to this is more important than the formal rank.
The term is from Haller from Restauration der Staatswissenschaften, which is similar to patriarchalism. Weber, however, stated in Economics and Society that, in patrimony, the domination or Herrschaft is of a political nature. Patrimonialism was the main form of government for the rise of the bureaucratic government. Shapes of patrimonialism were the oikos economy and feudal society as found in Europe and Japan. The first was a highly centralized form, while the second was a highly fragmented form.
According to Weber, patrimonialism and its most extreme form of sultanism derives from re-democracy and patriarchy as soon as they develop an administrative and military power as the ruler's instrument. Initially, the patrimonial government focused on Mr's need satisfaction, but in more complex societies, they also had to share the privileged class by giving them key positions.
Modern forms are often called neo-patrimonialism, usually referring to failed states. Literature
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