Patronage Networks Flashcards
What does ‘robust action’ refer to in the 1993 article on the Medici?
Ambigious, felxible political strategies that allow them to adapt to complex networks. No clear alliances or enemies.
Robust action was the main argument of the Padgett and Ansell 1993 article. It stated that the Medici rose to power through robust action, allowing them to remain flexible in political identity and use patronage networks to build influence.
How did the Medici family utilize patronage networks according to Padgett & Ansell?
Informal ties like marriages and financial support = central brokers in a flexible, influential network.
In Padgett & Ansell’s study, what role did “multivocality” play in the Medici’s strategy?
Medici onveyed different messages to different groups, allowing them to dominate without political categorization.
What key concepts does the Medici network demonstrate in political network analysis?
Centrality
Brokerage
Patronage in informal, power-driven networks.
How does Baturo & Elkink (2016) describe the personalization of power under Putin?
Putin centralized power through patron-client networks, where political loyalty > institutional roles = regime personalization.
What are “patron-client networks” in the context of Russia under Putin?
Informal networks where Putin (patron) provided career benefits to loyal elites (clients) in exchange for political loyalty, creating a power structure more powerful than formal institutions.
Describe the evolution of Putin’s network from 1999 to 2014, according to Baturo & Elkink.
The network became a smaller circle of trusted elites, shifting from broad alliances to a more exclusive, loyalty-driven patronage system.
Why are “network centrality” and “loyalty” important in the Russian patronage network?
Individuals close to Putin have better survival and influence in the political hierarchy –> centrality and loyalty are crucial for power within the network.
Keller (2016) critiques factionalism in studying Chinese elites. What does he propose instead?
Using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to explore patron-client ties and personal connections as a more accurate reflection of Chinese political dynamics.
What role do patron-client networks play among Chinese elites, according to Keller?
Patron-client networks, sustained through personal loyalty and informal ties, guide political mobility and influence, overshadowing formal roles within the CCP.
How does “guanxi” (personal connections) influence political survival in China’s patronage network?
“Guanxi” ensures that personal loyalty and relationships are paramount, as elites rely on these ties to navigate political shifts and maintain influence.
Explain the concept of “centrality” in Keller’s analysis of Chinese elite networks.
More central elites have greater access to resources and power, vital for political survival.
What is the significance of informal networks in authoritarian regimes based on these studies?
Loyalty and personal connections often override formal institutions in maintaining regime stability.
