Clientelismo político en Argentina: doble vida y negación colectiva

Abstract

Based on ethnographical researches, this paper explores one of the least known aspects of political patronage: the points of view of those receiving the favors, i.e. the “clients”. The work emphasizes a particular aspect of patronage exchange, the distribution of goods in exchange for attending public acts of the Justicialista party in Buenos Aires. Special attention is given to the double life of patronage (in the objective exchange and the participants´ experiences) and to the collective denial of the exchange in which political leaders and clients take part.