'A matter of man to man': moral obligations, political loyalty and clientelism in Corsica

Jean-Louis Briquet (1)

1 CESSP - Centre européen de sociologie et de science politique

While established on the exchange of material benefits (goods and services in return for political support), clientelistic relationships involve inter-individual links, often expressed in terms of friendship, personal attachment and solidarity, sense of duty, or gratitude. People are expected to act according to moral obligations (providing favours to their allies for politicians; returning these favours with political loyalty for their electorate), at risk of losing their reputation and social status. Based on a fieldwork research on local politics in Corsica, the paper analyses these moral obligations and the way in which they influence on the one hand the exercise and legitimation of political authority, on the other hand the conception of political commitment and loyalty among ordinary citizens. It is argued that clientelism doesn't manifest a "traditional" culture antagonistic to modern democratic standards, but results of the appropriation and reshaping of modern state institutions and electoral mechanisms by the local society.

Mots clés: Clientelism; Honour; Politicization; Corsica

Domaines: Science politique

Jean-Louis Briquet. 'A matter of man to man': moral obligations, political loyalty and clientelism in Corsica. Honour in Ottoman and Mediterranean Societies. Controversies, continuities and new directions Central European University - Center of Eastern Mediterranean Studies, Mar 2013, Budapest, Hungary. ⟨hal-00877168⟩