Revisiting clientelism: A network analysis of problem-solving networks in Argentina

Clientelism is a problem-solving network where brokers solve voter problems by providing material and non-material resources in exchange of political support.The literature emphasis on political networks ignores the existence of non-political networks, such as money lending, childcare, and counseling, that also contribute to solve voter problems. This paper uses original data collected by the author in Villa Angel, a densely populated working-class neighborhood located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires City, to show that a broker's central position in non-political networks explains his or her ability to influence vote choice. Consequently, to understand the effects that problem-solving networks have on political behavior, researchers and policy makers have to pay attention to the overlap and relationships between political and non-political networks.

► Clientelism is a problem-solving network where brokers solve voter problems in exchange of political support.
► The literature emphasis on political networks ignores the existence of non-political networks.
► This paper argues that to understand the effects that problem-solving networks have on political behavior, scholars have to study the overlap and relationships between political and non-political networks.
► The paper uses empirical evidence from Argentina to show that a broker's central position in non-political networks explains his or her ability to influence vote choice.