A model for understanding patron/client relationships which emphasizes their exploitiveness as well as their adaptiveness is presented. Based on data from the Island of Pantelleria, and Sicily in general, a description of two systems for obtaining things from above the local level is developed. The real system (how things are actually done) and the official system (how it is codified that things be done) are shown to be interdependent. Patrons can manipulate the official system and its image in order to convince clients they need patronage. This produces a situation of power dependency.
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Anthony H. Galt (1974) studied this question.
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