nepotizam

Ne nepotizam, or nepotism, is the practice of giving preferential treatment to relatives or family members in the allocation of jobs, promotions, contracts, or other benefits, typically by people in positions of power. It can be overt or implicit and may occur in politics, business, academia, and public administration. The term is used across languages such as Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian to describe this form of favoritism.

The word derives from Latin nepos, meaning “nephew,” and has historical associations with the appointment of relatives to offices, notably in the papal system where relatives were elevated to church positions. In many modern contexts nepotizam refers to the broader pattern of favoring kin in decision-making, often alongside other forms of patronage or cronyism.

Forms and mechanisms include hiring relatives, promoting family members, awarding contracts or internships, and placing family members in positions of influence within firms or agencies. Nepotism can operate openly or through informal networks, and it may intersect with other corrupt practices such as kickbacks or conflicts of interest.

Effects and criticisms focus on the undermining of merit-based selection, distortions in resource allocation, reduced organizational efficiency, and diminished trust in institutions. In the public sector, nepotism can contravene conflict-of-interest rules and anti-corruption standards; in the private sector, it can impair governance and accountability.

Policy responses emphasize merit-based hiring, transparency, and accountability. Measures include clear recruitment procedures, disclosure of relationships, cooling-off periods, independent recruitment boards, anti-corruption laws, audits, and protections for whistleblowers to reduce the opportunity for nepotistic practices.