CLIENTELISM, DEBT SERVICE AND GOVERNANCE

Abstract

This paper sets up a model of strategic sovereign default, in which crony capitalism provides policymakers with incentives to service the debt beyond what is socially optimal. It then considers reforms to deal with the supply side of clientelism: the private sector. This involves tackling agency problems between managers and corporate stakeholders, since a key element to constrain the ability of powerful economic interests to capture the state is good corporate governance. Economic hard times provide such an opportunity, as the implicit coalition between groups of cronies may break down. A model is built along those lines, which highlights international contagion of debt repudiation.

Citation

Vaugirard, V. (2004), "CLIENTELISM, DEBT SERVICE AND GOVERNANCE", Hirschey, M., and, K.J. and Makhija, A.K. (Ed.) Corporate Governance (Advances in Financial Economics, Vol. 9), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 137-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1569-3732(04)09006-1