Welfare Bureaucracy and Clientele Politics in Mexico

Welfare bureaucracy in such developing countries as Mexico is expected to serve the goals of political stability and balanced development. In Mexico, the Social Security Institute has served the former goal much better than the latter by formally representing the elites of important clientele groups. In setting up a micropolitical system like the Social Security Institute, the Mexican government leaders encourage the representation of leaders of important groups but deny effective access to the rank and file. Clientele representatives, no matter their allegiances, share an elitist background. Moreover, in making social security policy, they tend to consult with each other through a con-sensual style of bargaining. By pursuing a strategy of achieving elite consensus the IMSS sacrifices its goal of promoting social change among those Mexicans who most need its services.