UC Riverside

State governance based on a clan system lacks definition in the early days of the twenty-first century. This paper seeks to explore the structures and functions of the clan system in the Republic of Azerbaijan. This requires examination of the formal and informal institutions using a cross-disciplinary mixed methods approach to capture the complexities present. Particular emphasis focuses on the local level clan ties to the Milli Məjlis (National Assembly) as expression of citizens' voice in the political decision-making process. Field interviews reveal a bottom-up system with horizontal rather than vertical structures resulting in a dynamic parochial political culture.