nepotism
Meaning: The practice of favouring relatives or close friends, especially by giving them jobs or positions of influence, regardless of their qualifications or merit.
Nepotism undermines meritocratic principles and is considered a form of corruption in public institutions. In the private sector, family businesses may practice nepotism openly, though it can still breed resentment. The entertainment industry frequently faces accusations of nepotism — 'nepo baby' entered popular culture to describe children of famous people who benefit from their parents' connections. In politics, appointing family members to positions of power is widely criticised.
Examples
- The appointment of the minister's son to a senior advisory role was widely condemned as blatant nepotism. 大臣任命自己的儿子担任高级顾问一事被广泛谴责为明目张胆的裙带关系。El nombramiento del hijo del ministro para un puesto de asesoría de alto nivel fue ampliamente condenado como un caso flagrante de nepotismo.大臣の息子が上級顧問職に任命されたことは、露骨な縁故主義として広く非難されました。장관의 아들이 고위 자문역에 임명된 것은 노골적인 족벌주의라고 널리 비난받았습니다.
- Anti-nepotism policies in the civil service are designed to ensure that recruitment is based on merit rather than personal connections. 公务员体系中的反裙带关系政策旨在确保招聘基于能力而非个人关系。Las políticas contra el nepotismo en la administración pública están diseñadas para garantizar que la contratación se base en los méritos y no en las conexiones personales.公務員制度における反縁故主義の方針は、採用が個人的なつながりではなく実力に基づくことを保証するために設けられています。공무원 제도의 반족벌주의 정책은 채용이 개인적 인맥이 아닌 실력에 기반하도록 보장하기 위해 마련되었습니다.
- The debate about 'nepo babies' in the entertainment industry has drawn attention to how nepotism perpetuates privilege. 关于娱乐圈'关系户子女'的辩论引起了人们对裙带关系如何延续特权的关注。El debate sobre los «nepo babies» en la industria del entretenimiento ha puesto de manifiesto cómo el nepotismo perpetúa el privilegio.エンターテインメント業界における「ネポベイビー」をめぐる議論は、縁故主義がいかに特権を永続させているかに注目を集めました。엔터테인먼트 업계의 '금수저 자녀(네포 베이비)'에 대한 논쟁은 족벌주의가 어떻게 특권을 영속시키는지에 대한 관심을 불러일으켰습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: professional, media
Tone: disapproving
Origin & History
From Italian nepotismo, from nipote (nephew, grandchild), from Latin nepos (nephew, descendant). Originally referred to the practice of Renaissance popes appointing their nephews (often illegitimate sons) to positions of power within the Catholic Church.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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