Political Patronage and Bureaucracy: Studies in Nigeria and Indonesia
Main Article Content
Abstract
Abstract: The realization of effective governance in any nation hinges on the provision of ample services for its citizens. Responsible for the efficient delivery of these services is the executive arm of government, overseen by the civil service. The ideal functioning of the civil service necessitates the appointment of highly intelligent and qualified personnel recruited through a merit-based system. Regrettably, in both the Ebonyi state civil service and Indonesia, the actual experience deviates significantly from this esteemed ideal.
Purpose: The primary objective of this investigation is to evaluate the correlation between political patronage and inefficiency in the delivery of public services within Ebonyi State. Additionally, the study seeks to identify and analyze instances of bureaucratic patronage in Indonesia.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employed a survey research methodology to gather data. The study drew information from both primary sources, collected directly from the surveyed subjects, and secondary sources, which encompassed existing data and literature relevant to the research topic.
Findings: The findings of the study unveiled that the inefficiencies observed in the service delivery of the Ebonyi State Civil Service are directly linked to the practice of political patronage. Likewise, the investigation established that selective promotion and recruitment practices within the Ebonyi state civil service are directly influenced by political patrons. Additionally, the study identified that the influence of godfathers within the service framework contributes significantly to maintaining high discipline among civil servants in Ebonyi state. In the context of Indonesia, the research illuminated that patronage by bureaucrats is prevalent. Despite the expectation of bureaucratic neutrality in enforcing regulations, the study acknowledged that the relationship between politicians and bureaucrats is inseparable, leading to political exchanges aimed at securing benefits.
Originality/value: This research represents a unique contribution to the existing body of knowledge as it pioneers a comparative analysis of political patronage and bureaucracy in Nigeria and Indonesia. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of similarities and differences in the manifestation and impact of political patronage within the bureaucratic frameworks of both nations, providing valuable insights into cross-cultural dynamics in public administration.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Abia, V. E. B. 2006. Understanding Nigeria Government and Politics. Lagos: Gofaflesh Publishing Ltd.
Adebimpe, A. A, and Omolayo Fadoju. 2017. ‘Non Meritocratic Factors and the Recruitment Process in Oyo State Civil Service, Nigeria’. African Sociological Review 21, no. 2.
Bassey, and Enetak. 2008. ‘Godfatherism and Good Governance in Nigeria: An Appraisal of Nigeria Fourth Republic’. Journal of Social and Policy 9, no. 2.
Boissevain, Jeremy. 1966. ‘Patronage in Sicily’. Man 1, no. 1 (March): 18. https://doi.org/10.2307/2795898.
Collins, R, and K Druten. 2003. ‘Human Resource Management Practices’. Journal of Public Policy and Administration 5, no. 2.
Diana, Bambang Agus. 2020. ‘Pengaruh Politik Dalam Birokrasi Pemerintahan’. Ministrate: Jurnal Birokrasi Dan Pemerintahan Daerah 2, no. 1 (March): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.15575/jbpd.v2i1.7585.
Ejumudo, Kelly Bryan Ovie. 2010. ‘Constraints in the Staff Recruitment and Selection System of Delta State Civil Service’. International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences 2, no. 1.
Fakhruddin, M. Anas. 2012. ‘Model Hubungan Antara Birokrasi Dan Politisi Di Indonesia’. Jurnal Review Politik 2, no. 2.
Hidayat, Fauzan. 2021. ‘POLITISASI BIROKRASI: Analisis Dampak Inkonsistensi Interpretasi Makna Pasal Dalam Undang-Undang Aparatur Sipil Negara’. Jurnal Politik Pemerintahan Dharma Praja, December (December), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.33701/jppdp.v14i2.1680.
Igbokwe-Ibeto, Chinyeaka Justine, and Florence Agbodike. 2015. ‘Recruitment Policies in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service and Their Implications on Employees’ Performance’. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 5, no. 3: 34–48. https://doi.org/10.12816/0019014.
Joseph, A. Richard. 1999. The Use Aid Fall of the Second Republic. Ibadan: Spectrum Ltd.
Kenneth, V. B. 2016. Principles and Practices of Public Personnel Administration in Nigeria. Lagos: Concept Publications Limited.
Mbamara. 2004. Anxiety and Psychological Factors in Godfatherism” in Dukor M. (Ed) Godfatherism in Nigeria’s Politics. Lagos: Essence Library.
Nwanegbo, C. J. 2018. Public Administration in Nigeria: Principles and Application. Enugu: John Jacobs Classic Publishers Ltd.
Nze, F. C. 2006. ‘Administrative Performs in Two Political Cultures: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and the US’. The Nigerian Journal of Public Affairs 7.
Obasi, Isaac N. 2000. Research Methodology in Political Science. Enugu: Academic Press.
Obi, Emeka Anthony. 2008. Readings on Comparative Public Administration: Theory and Select Country Studies. Omtsha: Bookpoint Education Ltd.
Ognna, A. E. 1999. Public Administration in Nigeria. Theory and Practice. Owerri: Great Versatile Publishers Ltd.
Okafor, Emeka Emmanuel. 2005. ‘Public Bureaucracy and Development in Nigeria: A Critical Overview of the Impediments to Public Service Delivery’. Codesria Bulletin 3, no. 4.
Onwe, Sunday O, Emma O Abah, and Paul M Nwokwu. 2015. ‘Politics of Recruitment and Selection in the Nigerian Civil Service – An Ebonyi State Experience’. Public Policy and Administration Research 5, no. 2.
Otu, A. 2013. ‘Current Recruitment Trend in the Nigerian Civil Service: The Challenges and Implication’. Nigerian Journal of Public Administration and Local Government 17, no. 1.
Phillips, Adedotun O. 1988. Essentials of the 1988 Civil Service Reforms in Nigeria. Nigerian: Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, 1988.
Sodaro, Michael. J. 2001. Comparative Politics : A Global Introduction. New York: Mc Graw Hill.
Uchendu, E. E, and C. O Amah. 2002. Management. Ibadan: Dokun Publishing House.
Ujo, A. A. 2001. Understanding Public Administration. Kaduna: Anycitu Enterprises and Publishers.
Ukeje, Ikechukwu Ogeze, Chinyere Ndukwe, Chukwuemeka Emma, Udu Ogbulu, and Johnpaul Chukwujindu Onele. 2020. ‘Public Service Recruitment Practices and Implications for Sustainable Development in Ebonyi State, Nigeria’. International Journal of Public Administration 43, no. 4 (March): 361–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2019.1636394.
Yudiatmaja, Wayu Eko. 2018. ‘Politisasi Birokrasi: Pola Hubungan Politik Dan Birokrasi Di Indonesia’. Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi Negara (JUAN) 3, no. 1 (October): 10–28. https://doi.org/10.31629/juan.v3i1.662.