Cronyism

Cronyism is awarding positions, jobs, contracts, loans, privileges, or advantages to friends or colleagues. It is used especially in politics, when referring to partiality between politicians and businesses.[1] A person who supports or partakes in cronyism is referred to as a crony, cronie, or cronyist.

Cronyism occurs when appointing "cronies" to positions of authority regardless of their qualifications.[2] This is in contrast to a meritocracy, in which appointments are made based on merit. Politically, "cronyism" is derogatorily used to imply buying and selling favors, such as votes in legislative bodies, doing favors to organizations, or giving desirable ambassadorships to exotic places.[3]

  1. ^ "cronyism American English definition and synonyms - Macmillan Dictionary".
  2. ^ "the definition of cronyism". dictionary.reference.com.
  3. ^ Nadler, Judy; Schulman, Miriam. "Favoritism, Cronyism, and Nepotism". Santa Clara University. Retrieved 20 June 2013.