Despite some shortcomings, the literature on clientelism that emerged in the early independence era is still useful. It outlines three types of clientelism:
(i) Tribute, the traditional practice of gift exchange in peasant societies,
(ii) Patronage, the use of state resources to provide jobs and services to political clienteles,
(iii) Prebends, where an individual is given a public office in order for them to gain personal control over state resources.