2015/01/01 by Catherine Allgor · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Historical Gender and Feminism Studies #Historical Economic and Social Studies #Colonialism, slavery, and trade
paper · doi:10.1086/679323
openalex publication_date 2015/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
This essay argues that patronage was integral to the development of the federal government, forming the required connections among governmental officials and between the government and its citizens. The women of political families became the chief patronage players in the new nation, since properly republican political men could not. Using comparative models of patronage practices from English and European contexts shows that patronage flourished during most nations’ premodern periods, waning as modernity developed. Within a new nation that needed structure, legitimacy, and authority over its citizens, women’s efforts created a shelter under which patronage could flourish, enabling the young US government to catch up to modernity.