Madam, - Róisín Ingle (April 28th), referred to the phenomenon of clientelism in Irish politics. She noted my 1984 article ("Irish Clientelism: a reappraisal", Economic and Social Review), but erroneously said that I suggested clientelism was a product of underdevelopment and peasant life and would disappear as Ireland modernised.
Actually, I said the precise opposite - linking clientelism with peasants and underdeveloped economies was a misconception commonly held by others.
It actually results from specific structural conditions, and would "not necessarily disappear as the country modernises or as its citizens become educated. . . Rather than an outmoded style of behaviour, [ clientelism] is an effective solution to a particular set of problems."
In Ireland, clientelism resulted from strong party loyalties, restricted access to information by citizens, and a dependency on the State.
The current election will no doubt provide examples, as Róisín did in her article, of politicians still making claims and voters still expecting personal service. Clientelism has decreased somewhat in the last 25 years, partly due to greater access to information by citizens and greater official accountability, as well as a decline in party loyalty.
But there are still those dependent on State benefits who do not have the knowledge, means or confidence to access benefits for themselves. While getting help to navigate the maze of entitlements is neither illegal nor immoral, it can reduce the pressure for reform.
I wrote, in the mid-1980s, that "brokerage 'succeeds' because it mitigates, but does not totally remove, the vulnerability of clients". I also suggested that "escalating political competition engenders exaggerated claims of influence and so threatens political credibility".
Current levels of voter apathy and cynicism suggest that some things have not changed. - Yours, etc,
LEE KOMITO, School of Information and Library Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.