Patrons and Partisans

In this book, Caroline White presents a challenge to the orthodox approach to southern Italian politics. From her study of two neighbouring villages in the Abruzzi region, she argues that patron-clientism - a form of political relations by means of which resources are distributed in exchange for political support, and which has been seen as typical in southern Italy - is not universal, and that the particularities of local history may give rise to alternative forms that are open and democratic, and oppose the domination of political elites. By immersing herself in the two communities Dr White has developed a deep understanding of the interrelations between economic life, kinship ties, friendship networks, clubs, and religious beliefs in each: her explanation of the striking political differences between the villages in terms of the historical development of the social relations of production is rigorous and convincing.