Introduction

Legitimization through patronage? Strategies for political control beyond ethno-regional claims in Darjeeling, India

“…Importantly, my findings from Darjeeling resemble other studies on patronage in India and also appear applicable to elected representatives (Alm, 2006;Manor, 2000;Piliavsky, 2014a). This raises important questions concerning the actual effect of elections on legitimizing leaders' authority or whether they merely serve to mask authority attained by other means.…”

“…Piliavsky, 2014a) and instead underscores the compulsions and dependencies in contexts in which a dominant party monopolizes access to the developmental state with the silent approval of the State Government.…”

“…Potential clients' expectations are shaped by moral beliefs concerning the characteristics of a good patron or leader and the relationship between themselves and a patron (Piliavsky, 2014a). Various studies indicate that a ''good'' patron is regarded as a trustworthy, selfless and generous servant of the people (ibid.…”

“…The latter is achieved by emphasizing their selflessness and creating a relationship of loyalty and trust with their clients. For instance, patrons often frame their relationship in kinship terms, describing themselves as ''fathers'' or ''brothers'', or as ''social workers'' (Alm, 2006;Hansen, 2001;Piliavsky, 2014a). They can also tout community values such as honesty, unity and harmony (Alm, 2006, p. 121 ff.…”

“…In essence, individuals living in poverty often have no choice but to rely on those who promise them food, jobs and housing (Manzetti and Wilson, 2007). One the one hand, many authors stress patrons' positive role in enabling individuals to access the state, thereby defying perceptions of patronage and corruption as pre-modern and anti-democratic (Piliavsky, 2014a). Instead, they regard it as embedded in the emergence of ''plebeian identities'' (Hansen, 2001), which express the people's growing awareness of their rights and entitlements with respect to the state.…”