Paper short abstract:

The paper discusses whether clientelistic practices are resulting from Neoliberal transformations experienced by the Chilean Socialist Party. It suggests that changes on its political culture are linked to Neoliberal transformations in Chilean society, particularly the deepened of clientelism.

Paper long abstract:

The Chilean Socialist Party (PSCh) is defined as complex institution characterising by its capacity to adapt to its contexts (Panebianco, 1988). PSCh political culture (Elkins, 1993) is characterized by the presence of internal factions headed by strong leaders Within factions, it is found clientelistic power relations between members and leaders. as a consequence of highly individualised power relations, mixed with authoritarian practices .Clientelism is described as the exclusive distribution of private goods (selective incentives) between members and leaders in order to assure leaders positions. Resulting from Neoliberalism the collective incentives are replaced by selective incentives between leaders and members with internal electoral purpose. Therefore, the individual link between leaders and members replaced collective linkages among party members. During the "Consertacion de Partidos por la Democracia" administration (1990-2010) clientelism took shape through the distribution of positions within the state bureaucratic apparatus. This paper wants to discuss whether practices are the result of Neoliberal transformations in political practices within the party.