Clientelism and corruption as a national culture

The Dominican Republic has achieved a status as a middle-to-high income nation within the developing world, supported by a robust economy driven by tourism, free trade zones, and remittances. Despite these macroeconomic indicators, the country faces systemic challenges regarding the prevalence of clientelism and corruption.

These issues are increasingly characterized as being deeply embedded within the national culture. Consequently, a significant segment of the Dominican population remains impacted by these structural problems, creating a disparity between the nation's economic growth and the social realities experienced by its citizens.