Cadre (politics)

A cadre (UK /ˈkɑːdər/ or US /ˈkædreɪ/) policy is a political mechanism that falls under two categories:

1. Cadre deployment: The appointment by a government's governing party of a loyalist to an institution, as a means of circumventing public reporting lines and bringing that institution under the control of the party, as opposed to the state. It involves the creation of a parallel power structure to the constitution, so that party members answer first to the party and second to the public. In turn, that party advances its interests ahead of those of the public.
2. Cadre employment: Economic patronage dispensed to individuals, companies and agencies, by the government, not on merit but on the basis they enjoy some political connection to the governing party.

Every level of government often acts to reward loyalists with tenders and government business. This form of tenderpreneurship is commonly practised by the African National Congress government. Together with Black Economic Empowerment policies, cadre policy is used to address the injustices of the former apartheid system in South Africa.

See also

• Cronyism