Melnikov K.V.

Purpose. The purpose of the given study is to analyze the phenomenon of client-patronage networks and to evaluate its potential in the development of the neopatrimonialism concept. Methodology. Comparative qualitative study of monographs and scientific articles published in Russian and foreign languages on the selected topic. Meaningfully comparison of interpretations of neopatrimonial type of political domination and the clientelism phenomenon were carried out in terms of the neo-institutional approach. Scientific novelty. The clientelism phenomenon, often considered irrespective of the type of political domination in which it is distributed, or appearing in the framework of a simple enumeration of the typical features of the neopatrimonial regimes, is presented in the article as a basic feature of the neopatrimonial regimes, the relationship of these categories is analyzed. Results. Based on a critical review of the main works in this field of research author represents a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of clientelism and advances two arguments, that prove its constitutive significance for the neopatrimonialism concept.

Purpose. The purpose of the presented study is the evaluation of the transformation of approaches to the definition of neopatrimonialism through an analysis of the main lines of the contradictions between researchers in the interpretation of neopatrimonial type of political domination and identification of the concept kernel against which disputes are minimal. Methodology. Comparative qualitative study of texts, monographs and scientific articles published in the Russian and English languages, on selected topics. Meaningful comparison of the approaches to the interpretation of a neopatrimonial type of political domination was conducted in line with the neoinstitutional method. Scientific novelty. The most important approaches to the definition of neopatrimonialism were analyzed from several perspectives: relationship with the basic Weberian category of a patrimonial type of political domination, the role of bureaucracy functioning on the basis of rational-legal procedures, explanation of the meaning of the prefix «neo» in the interpretation of the concept. Results. Based on a critical review of the basic approaches the author formulated his own definition of neopatrimonialism, determined the vectors of research necessary to improve heuristic potential of the concept.