Patron-Client Relations Research Program
The Chair of International Relations at Friedrich Schiller University and Prof. Rafael Biermann have been at the forefront of a novel research program on patron-client relations in contemporary world politics.
A key goal of this program is to advance the conceptualization of patron-client ties for international relations research. One way that we aim to achieve that is through the publication of the volume titled Patron-Client Relations in World Politics. Each of the workshops listed below represents a step toward this book.
- The first workshop, held in Dornburg in September 2021, had a thematic focus on secessionist conflicts; however, since then, the program has broadened its scope to look at a more diverse range of issue areas and actors.
For more details: Secessionism workshop in Dornburg 2021 - In July 2022, in Thessaloniki, Greece, we were already joined by colleagues who extended the use of the patron-client relations concept in papers discussing, among other topics, rebel diplomacy in the Middle East, international interventions in Africa, and monetary unions in the Caribbean.
For more details: EISA Workshop 2022, Thessaloniki: Patron-Client Relations in World Politics - In April 2023, in Toulouse, France, the thematic richness of our program was further enhanced by new topics such as international development aid and surrogate warfare. Rafael Biermann coined the idea of publishing the Patron-Client Relations in World Politics volume and was joined by co-editors Ivica Petrikova and Nicolò Fasola.
For more details: ECPR Workshop 2023, Toulouse: Patron-Client Relations in World Politics - In June 2024, in Dornburg and Jena, Germany, our Chair hosted an Authors' Workshop for our colleagues from previous events, and for new contributors who responded positively to our calls. During the workshop, we discussed each paper and ultimately delivered the first draft of the book. Each author received thorough feedback not only from our editors but also from other contributors.
For more details: Authors' Workshop on Patron-Client Relations in World Politics, Dornburg/Jena 2024 - In October 2024, in Rapallo, Italy, the three editors of the book met to discuss the papers revised according to the feedback given at our Authors' Workshop earlier this June. Many details were also agreed upon regarding the volume's overall structure and arc. There were also major developments in the search for appropriate publishers. As a result of the symposium, the book is one step closer to a final draft to be delivered in 2025.
For more details: EISA Symposia 2024, Rapallo, Italy: Editors' Symposium on Patron-Client Relations in World Politics
Also, our Chair published two free access papers on the topic of patron-client relations. Rafael Bierman has published an article, which breaks new ground in the study of secessionist conflicts. The article conceptualizes the relations between host states and secessionist groups and their patrons and applies the concept to secessionist conflict as a distinct sub-type. The article also outlines directions for future research and suggests theoretical building-blocks on two dimensions: the motives for forming, maintaining and terminating patron-client relations, and the impact of such relations on secessionist conflicts. The article is published online first and can be accessed hereExternal link.
The article is the conceptual backbone of a forthcoming Special Issue in the journal Territory, Politics and Governance. Another already available article from this issue is by Christopher Brucker, a PhD candidate at our Chair, conceptualizing Civil Society Patronage in the case of Biafra. It is available hereExternal link.