ABSTRACT
In Mushin, factions were recruited by leaders from their client supporters to assist them in competing for offices or other kinds of rewards. The factional struggles which dominated the military period starting in 1966 were a relatively predictable development. Factionalism also was a natural outgrowth of a system in which clientelism was a dominant mode of transacting political business. The strategy which evolved for conducting political rivalries in this context, as indicated, was a factional strategy. Indeed there were many factional struggles, since Mushin's top leaders were brought into constant competition with one another, vying for influence in the larger organisations of the community. Factional struggles in Mushin's markets illustrated community leaders' abilities to compete for power under a military regime which, on one level banned 'political' activities on the part of the public, yet on another level encouraged, and even rewarded, local leadership.
