Objective

To advance in a theoretical explanation about the effect of party systems and political competition on government performance, relative to the provision of public goods and clientelistc private goods.

Methodology

I build and present a theoretical model to address the cited problem.

Results

The model describes how the rise in the number of competing political parties encourages the clientelistic behavior of incumbents.

Limitations

Despite the paper explains some known empirical facts, it does not present any empirical analysis and evidence.

Originality

The paper presents an original formal model based on the government employment to analyze the effect that the party system has over government performance.

Conclusion

The main result shows that the increase in the number of parties within the system, diminishes public goods delivers and encourages clientelistic expenditures.