A "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" method of governing characterized by centralized control, blurred lines between public office and private gain, and a reliance on personal networks over transparent processes.

"The presidency itself is treated as a business opportunity. It has become corrupt by definition, because its reason for being is to exploit the state for gain; political, personal, and financial. At every turn, it is at war with the rules and institutions that impede rigging, robbing, and gutting the state. However, corruption is patrimonialism’s Achilles’ heel because the public understands it and doesn’t like it. It is not an abstraction like 'democracy' or 'Constitution' or 'rule of law.' It conveys that the government is being run for them, not for you.” -- Jonathan Rauch

Originally coined by Max Weber in Economy and Society,

The only thing that survived the war.

Not my home. Not my family. Not the farm, nor the wind blowing across the surface of the fields.

I returned to vengeance. That survived.

I would be the avenger. Not like the movies. I wouldn't be forgiving.

It was a fool's errand. I didn't know it at the time. I packed up what I could. Plotted my approach to those responsible. Plotted what I would do to them.

They didn't survive the war either.

I found no one

One of the few times
I admit I have lied
Is when she asks
“Is the song about me?”
And I say
“No..”