nepotisme

Neopotisme is the practice of granting jobs, promotions, contracts, or other favors to relatives or close associates of people in power, rather than selecting candidates through merit. It can occur in public institutions, private companies, and non-profit organizations, and may involve immediate family, in-laws, or trusted friends.

Etymology: The term nepotisme derives from Latin nepos meaning "nephew" and entered European languages through Italian nepotismo and French népotisme. Historically, the term has been associated with the appointment of relatives by popes and bishops, a practice often labeled as nepotisme in reference to church offices.

Forms and mechanisms: Nepotisme can take many forms, including hiring, promotion, contract awards to family-owned businesses, placement in key positions, or the creation of informal networks that favour kinship over performance. Depending on jurisdiction, some forms may be legal yet ethically criticized, while others may violate rules on conflicts of interest.

Impact and critique: Critics argue that nepotisme undermines meritocracy, reduces organizational efficiency, and erodes trust in institutions. It can entrench elite networks, discourage non-relatives, and increase the risk of favoritism or corruption, prompting calls for transparency and accountability.

Countermeasures: To curb nepotisme, organizations implement conflict-of-interest policies, independent recruitment processes, merit-based selection, disclosure requirements, rotation of personnel, and oversight mechanisms. Public-sector rules in many countries restrict nepotisme and require public officials to recuse themselves from related decisions.