Abstract

HEVIA DE LA JARA, Felipe. Political Use of Social Programs and New Institutional Intermediaries: Progresa/Oportunidades Programs in Southern Veracruz. Desacatos [online]. 2010, n.34, pp.119-132. ISSN 2448-5144.

The literature on political clientelism in Mexico confirms that the utilization of social programs with electoral purposes has a long tradition. One way to study the forms of political use in the Progresa/Oportunidades Program is to understand the interaction between the beneficiaries and the Program. Throughout the paper argues that this interaction is based on the emergence of new intermediaries, who have replaced traditional rural intermediaries.This is possible because of their location enabling them to share resources and information among key local and extralocal actors, generate political capital and improve their positions within the local power structures.

Keywords : brokerage; clientelism; patronage system; poverty-Mexico; Veracruz.