The Politics of the Belly

The bottom line of politics in electoral democracies in 21st century capitalism: Whatever patronage politicians dispense, there’s no free lunch.

China's President, Hu Jintao, hosts African heads of state for a state dinner in Beijing, 2012.

Jean Francois Bayart uses the Cameroonian term “politics of the belly” to describe patron-client relations in West African politics. Politicians distribute goods – filling the bellies of clients – in return for political loyalty, obviating the need for democracy and instituting alternative and sometimes moral forms of accountability. “It’s our time to chop” likewise captures the dynamic of exchanging votes for chop. When we hit the streets of Melville yesterday to snap photos of campaign posters for the South African elections today, this menu caught our eyes:

Political scientists and pundits often refer to “politics of the belly” and “cabritismo” (a goat will eat where he is tethered), another description of what politicians do. This restaurant took that literally and served up a menu of fare fit for party supporters or political observers bent on riffing on the metaphors available.

We don’t know why Poppy’s chef choose which meal for what party but here’s how we parsed their menu (give us your interpretations in the comments):

African National Congress–pizza: living off the dream of equitable distribution of the pie but when are the pieces ever cut perfectly evenly? And some have more cheese and toppings than others…then there’s the question of access.

Democratic Alliance-chicken or beef burger: well, it’s clear, they don’t know who they are. They are mostly white but they keep trying to recruit black members. Poppy’s lets you choose.

Economic Freedom Fighters–fiery half baby chicken: they are fiery upstart and former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema’s new party with nationalization and land redistribution at the center of the agenda.

Freedom Front–Boer Wors roll: defending the old National Party and extreme right ways. This is a farmer’s sausage, folks. Do we need to explain?

One Poppy’s server said that people ate in line with their political beliefs but another said that people ordered more E.F.F. fiery half baby chickens because that’s the most popular dish.

We are not the only ones thinking about food and politics. Next week at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre Zakes Mda’s play “The Mother of All Eating,” directed by Makhaola Siyanda Ndebele opens. This plays looks at the culture of corruption popularly known as ‘eating.’

And here’s the bottom line of politics in electoral democracies in 21st century capitalism, whether it’s South Africa or the south side of Chicago. Whatever patronage politicians dispense, there’s no free lunch.

Further Reading

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Andre De Ruyter, the former CEO of Eskom, has presented himself as a simple hero trying to save South Africa’s struggling power utility against corrupt forces. But this racially charged narrative is ultimately self-serving.

Cinematic universality

Fatou Cissé’s directorial debut meditates on the uncertain fate and importance of Malian cinema amidst the growing dismissiveness towards the humanities across the world.

The meanings of Heath Streak

Zimbabwean cricketing legend Heath Streak’s career mirrors many of the unresolved tensions of race and class in Zimbabwe. Yet few white Zimbabwean sporting figures are able to stir interest and conversation across the nation’s many divides.

Victorious

After winning Italy’s Serie A with Napoli, Victor Osimhen has cemented his claim to being Africa’s biggest footballing icon. But is the trend of individual stardom good for sports and politics?

The magic man

Chris Blackwell’s long-awaited autobiography shows him as a romantic rogue; a risk taker whose life compass has been an open mind and gift to hear and see slightly into the future.

How to think about colonialism

Contemporary approaches to the legacy of colonialism tend to narrowly emphasize political agency as the solution to Africa’s problems. But agency is configured through historically particular relations of which we are not sole authors.

More than just a flag

South Africa’s apartheid flag has been declared hate speech by a top court. But while courts are important and their judgments matter, racism is a long and internationally entrenched social phenomenon that cannot be undone via judicial processes.

Resistance is a continuous endeavor

For more than 75 years, Palestinians have organized for a liberated future. Today, as resistance against Israeli apartheid intensifies, unity and revolutionary optimism has become the main infrastructure of struggle.

Paradise forgotten

While there is much to mourn about the passing of legendary American singer and actor Harry Belafonte, we should hold a place for his bold statement-album against apartheid South Africa.