neopotisme

Neopotisme refers to the practice in which individuals in positions of authority provide preferential treatment to relatives or close associates in hiring, promotion, contracting, or access to opportunities. The term is related to nepotism, and its root comes from Latin nepos, meaning nephew. In contemporary usage, neopotisme describes favoritism based on family or close personal ties rather than merit or performance.

/nepotisme can appear in public institutions, private companies, and nonprofit organizations. Common forms include hiring relatives, granting promotions or lucrative contracts to family members, placing friends on boards, or steering opportunities toward a trusted inner circle. Cultural norms, organizational culture, and weak governance can influence its prevalence, as can the concentration of power within a small network.

There is ongoing debate about neopotisme’s effects. Critics argue that it undermines meritocracy, erodes morale, and damages trust in organizations or governments. It can also impair performance if selections are not aligned with qualifications. Proponents sometimes claim that trusted networks improve loyalty and efficiency, though empirical evidence on benefits is mixed and highly context-dependent.

Governance and reforms aim to mitigate neopotisme through transparent recruitment processes, independent screening, conflict-of-interest disclosures, recusal requirements, term limits, and anti-nepotism policies. Public-sector rules and corporate governance guidelines often specify how to handle potential conflicts and to separate decision-making from personal relationships.

Related concepts include cronyism, patronage, and conflicts of interest.