Neo-patrimonial practices and sustainability of authoritarian regimes in Eurasia. Issue 2 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shkel, Stanislav N.
• Is Part Of: Communist and post-communist studies. Volume 52:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Political regimes -- Authoritarianism -- Neo-patriomonialism -- The post-soviet territory -- Clannishness -- Clientelism -- Patronage; Communism -- Periodicals; Post-communism -- Periodicals; Communisme -- Périodiques; Postcommunisme -- Périodiques; Communism; Post-communism; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 320.53205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.postcomstud.2019.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-067X

Abstract

Abstract: The article analyzes authoritarian regimes within the post-Soviet territory in terms of informal practices (clannishness, clientelism and patronage) and their characteristics used by political leaders to form a power coalition. It has been argued that any of these informal practices determine a power coalition of a certain size, which is consequential for regime sustainability. Power coalitions formed on the basis of a clan-like nature is the least effective way to retain power and generally leads to regime destabilization. Clientelism, which allows for forming a power coalition on a wider basis, is a more effective strategy in terms of regime sustainability. Maximum regime sustainability is reached when patronage practices are used, which require more material resources and are only accessible to a limited number of wealthy states.