Twenty years of paraguayan electoral democracy
From monopolistic to pluralistic clientelism

Gustavo Setrini. [Autor]
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ISBN: --
CADEP
Paraguay -
Septiembre de 2010

Clientelism is deeply ingrained social and political institution in Paraguay and has proven to be a source of strong continuity in the face of attempted economic and political reforms. As has been the case elsewhere, observers of Paraguayan politics and development regularly blame clientelism for economic stagnation, high levels of inequality, the ineffectiveness of the public sector, and general disappointment with democracy in the country. With the end of one-party rule in 2008, demands to eradicate this personalistic form of politics have grown louder inside and outside the government. But what exactly is clientelism? How did it come to be so deeply ingrained in Paraguay? How does it exert so much influence on the quality of political and economic governance? And what are the possible sources of change, reform, and progress in a clientelist system?