Patron-Client Politics and Governance System in Nepal

Abstract

Patron-client relation not only entrenches informal governance system but also creates unauthorized transactions. This type of relation holds control over policy decision and implementation process so that rules are applied with partiality and some citizens get preferential treatment. It encourages favouritism, nepotism, and other corrupt practices, which ultimately worsens the governance. This study aims to investigate the role and effect of patron-client relation in poor governance, corruption, and unfair civil service practice in Nepal. By conducting a survey of N=273, the study examines and shows casual links between/among patrimonialism, clientelism, rent seeking behaviour, pork barrelling and budgeting, opaque procurement, poor governance, corruption, and unfair civil service practice. Patrimonialism, clientelism, opaque procurement, and rent seeking behaviour are found significant to predict poor governance. Likewise, opaque procurement and rent seeking behaviour are found significant to predict unfair civil service practice

and clientelism, opaque procurement, pork barrelling, and rent seeking behaviour are found significant to predict corruption. All the independent variables (significant at <0.1) are found having positive significant relations with the dependent variables. For example, if any of the forms of patron-client relation- patrimonialism, clientelism, pork barrelling, rent seeking behaviour, or opaque procurement- increases then the governance system becomes poorer, and vice versa.

The findings confirm that the form of patron client relation- patrimonialism, clientelism, opaque procurement, rent seeking behaviour, and pork barrelling- has a greater impact on governance and civil service. They foster corruption, make the civil service practice unfair, distort the delivery of public services, and reverse the improvement in governance system. The study concludes that the patron-client relation worsens the governance system. Four out of five indicators of patron-client relation have positive .. value, and are significant (p <0.1). Therefore, it recommends the Government of Nepal to vitalize the formal governance system to make the state institutions, structures and laws more accountable and responsive to increase the level of public trust towards state institutions. Importantly, government needs to take immediate action against the patronage relation to break the tie between the patron and their client.