Publication
How Smallness Fosters Clientelism: A Case Study of Malta
Political scientist Wouter Veenendaal (Leiden University) provides an in-depth case study of clientelism in Malta, the smallest member state of the European Union. He reveals that not only that patron–client linkages are a ubiquitous feature of political life in Malta, but also that the smallness of Malta strongly affects the functioning of clientelism by eliminating the need for brokers and enhancing the power of clients versus patrons. In addition, Veenendaal concludes that clientelism is related to several other characteristics of Maltese politics, among which the sharp polarisation between parties, extremely high turnout rates, profound executive dominance, and the incidence of corruption scandals.
- Author
- Wouter Veenendaal
- Date
- 26 March 2019
- Links
- › Political Studies (SAGE journals)
