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Technology and clientelist politics in India

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  • Steven I. Wilkinson

Abstract

This paper argues that new computer, smartphone, and universal ID technologies are reducing the incentives for political clientelism in the delivery of social programmes in India, especially by allowing party leaders to bypass local brokers to credit-claim for better service delivery and allowing politicians to deliver programmatic service delivery much more efficiently than in the past, with fewer diversions.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven I. Wilkinson, 2021. "Technology and clientelist politics in India," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-153, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2021-153
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2021-153-technology-clientelist-politics-India.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scott, James C., 1972. "Patron-Client Politics and Political Change in Southeast Asia," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 66(1), pages 91-113, March.
    2. Rajeshwari Deshpande & Louise Tillin & K.K. Kailash, 2019. "The BJP’s Welfare Schemes: Did They Make a Difference in the 2019 Elections?," Studies in Indian Politics, , vol. 7(2), pages 219-233, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heath, Oliver & Tillin, Louise & Mishra, Jyoti & Kumar, Sanjay & Venkateswaran, Sandhya, 2025. "Poor health: Credit and blame attribution in India’s multi-level democracy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).

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