Caste and Character of Candidates, Political Patronage and Voting Behavior in India

Abstract

This paper describes a range of possible factors that limit the effectiveness of elections in India as a mechanism to elect the candidates who are politically honest and competent. In this regard, caste affiliations of the candidates and ineffective role played by political parties, public offices and different electoral bodies are some of the major factors that limit the effectiveness of electoral process. Social ties and networking between the candidates and the voters based on common caste is the strongest factor that gives birth to undesirable outcomes for a democratic system. Provision of patronage to the general public by the candidates is the other major factor to win political clientage during election process. This article helps to understand the significant role of political patronage provided by the candidates in determining the voting behavior of masses during electoral process in India.