Clientelism or corruption? : the pattern of influence trading in Maltese politics and government

Abstract

This study examines whether it is clientelism rather than corruption that accounts for the daily diet of accusations traded by the political parties and members of the public. This research investigates the distinction between clientelism and corruption and the confluence of factors that encourages or facilitates corruption. The research, therefore, lays the foundation for credible studies on the phenomena of clientelism, maladministration and corruption as they are manifested in Malta.

This research answers several questions, including: Is the influence trading that goes on in Maltese Politics and government a symptom of clientelism, or is actual corruption involved? What cases of clientelism and/or corruption have been alleged or identified in Maltese Politics? What cases of political clientelism and/or corruption are most evident in Maltese Politics? Is there a pattern of clientelism and/or corruption in Maltese Politics?

This study includes the collection of data from two local newspapers, namely, In Nazzjon and L-Orizzont to uncover articles related to alleged clientelism or corrupt practices. Therefore, this study will mainly consist of a document-based research using qualitative methods by utilising primary and secondary sources, chiefly in the form of newspaper articles. This study further includes a closer look at one case study pertaining to such an alleged case as drawn from the data collected.

The notion of corrupt clientelism evident in this research is a vicious circle that facilitates the incorporation of corrupt exchanges revolving around three basic features, namely, resources, actors, and legality. Corruption and clientelism thrive on inequality, both in terms of power and resources.