Neo-patrimonialism

Okay kiddo, let me explain neo-patrimonialism. Imagine that you are the king or queen of a big kingdom, like in a fairy tale. Now, you have a lot of people working for you, like the knights, the cooks, and the courtiers. They all depend on you, because you are the one who gives them jobs and money and tells them what to do.

Now, let's say you have a favorite knight, Sir John. Sir John is not necessarily the most qualified or the best knight, but he is your friend and you like him. So, you give him more money and more power than the other knights. This is because you think he is loyal to you and he will help you in the future if you need him.

This is what neo-patrimonialism looks like in the modern world. Instead of a king or queen, we have a government. Instead of knights and courtiers, we have politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen. And instead of favors and power, we have jobs, contracts, and resources.

In neo-patrimonialism, people who are close to the ruler or the ruling party get more benefits than those who are not. This can include things like getting special treatment in court, getting contracts to build roads or schools, or getting jobs in the government. This is often done in exchange for loyalty and support to the ruler or party.

Neo-patrimonialism is not always a good thing, because it can lead to corruption and unfairness. It means that people who are not connected to those in power have less chance of getting ahead. It can also mean that those who are connected to the ruler or party will continue to gain benefits, even if they are not doing a good job.

So, while having a favorite knight might seem nice in a fairy tale, in the real world, it can cause problems. Governments need to be fair and transparent, and give everyone an equal chance to succeed.