A sociological assessment of clientelist relations in public employment

The aim of this study is to investigate and sociologically examine networks and processes that constitute clientelistic relationships in appointments to positions such as district governors, judges, prosecutors, and auditors, which can be defined as white-collar workers of the public. The qualitative method was used in this research. The research data as to face in the years 2019-2021 through Ankara and Adiyaman and phone calls were collected from various provinces of Turkey. Data were collected from 29 candidates (2 focus group interviews and 19 in-depth interviews) who were candidates for the aforementioned positions and were previously candidates. These data were grouped as categories and subcategories and analyzed descriptively and systematically through this pattern and interpreted with sociological theory, concept and concept sets. According to the findings of the research, widespread networks and relationships of clientelist during the appointment processes to the aforementioned positions were determined. In the functioning of these clientelism relations; It is one of the findings that implementations such as security investigation, interview and reference are very effective. The findings show that legal regulations and / or the loophole and ambiguities in these regulations are very effective in the spread of such relations. According to the findings obtained from the research; specific social and cultural understanding of the people of Turkey continues to feed the clientelism. Clientelism has important consequences such as causing a social revanchist polarization cycle, causing distrust of individuals to each other and institutions, and disruptions in the public political functioning. In addition, it has been observed that clientelist relationships lead to the continuation of many ethno-religious, sexist, class, and ideological domination. In this context, it is thought that merit-based solutions to this issue will be the most important and effective solution in the short term, although they do not provide a pure justice. Therefore merit for the solution of many social and political problems in Turkey will can be an important tool. Keywords: Clientelism, fauvouritism, merit, trust, social capital