Political clientelism and local participation. The role of social community leaders in the connection between authorities and citizens in Santiago, Chile

Abstract

This paper analyzes how the political relationships between local authorities (mayor and councilors) and social basis in the municipality of Santiago are established and maintained. The research is based on qualitative interviews and participant observation conducted in the years 2008 and 2009. After characterizing the informal links between local government, political parties and social organizations, the findings show that in contrast to agents of political parties, community leaders have increased their importance in client intermediation. The analysis exposes how the image of social community leaders as efficient managers is constructed through personalization of their performance and how that discourse is challenged when they try to achieve a symbolic compensation to their work.