The other word for nepotism is favoritism. It refers to a special treatment or favor for someone, maybe a person, group of people or entity and violates the “right to equality”.
Practice of this single term can easily bother the working of an enterprise whereas can even have a drastic effect on the rest of the people engaged in an activity. This favoritism can occur at any place as well as in any field from business, politics, entertainment, sports, religion to other activities.
Nepotism is nothing new but has been practiced since ancient times. The thing to be known is that wherever it is, it is and will be termed as evil and unwise and will for sure be criticized.
Let’s see how it is practiced and what are its effects in varied fields:
- Political: Nepotism is common in political areas. Giving powers to someone known, non-deserving candidate without appropriate qualifications required rather than giving it to the deserving one. Also, corruption and nepotism go hand in hand. We can have a clear view of nepotism by having look at some of the political practices.
- Organisational: When it comes to organizations, nepotism is mainly practiced in case of promotions and hiring, ignoring the fact that it is unethical and non-beneficial on both the accounts employer as well as employees.
- Employment: Nepotism at work can mean increased opportunity at a job, attaining the job, or being paid more than other similarly situated people. On one hand, it provides stability and continuity to people who are a part of favoritism whereas, on the other hand, it decreases morale and commitment from non-related employees.
- Entertainment: Not only in the above-mentioned areas, nepotism is equally more common in the field of entertainment. From launching its own known and favorites to giving awards, nepotism has played its role.
Here was a list of nepotism being practiced in different fields. But what about if I tell you that this is practiced in almost every country too. Don’t believe me? Have a view:
Giving some examples of selected countries that witnessed nepotism and some people who were accused of doing this evil activity. They include-
- Australia: Anna Bligh, who won the 2009 Queensland State election, has been accused of nepotism by giving her husband Greg Withers a position as the Office of Climate Change head.
- Greece: In Greece, it is a common practice for family members of current or former party leaders to be party members and get appointed as ministers when the party is in government.
- Belgium: Claims of nepotism have been made against Bruno Toback, the son of a senator and former minister Louis Toback a member of the Flemish socialists, became the Belgian federal government’s minister for the pensions and environment at 35 in 2005.
- Cambodia: In the 2013 Cambodian parliamentary elections, at least eight candidates standing in the upcoming July election are sons of high-ranking Cambodian People’s Party officials. All ruling party sons lost, but were appointed into high government positions.
Not only these but the list is vast, including Spain, Mauritius, India, Srilanka, Romania, United States, and many more..
Talking about the effects of nepotism, it snatches away the opportunities from the right hands and offers it to the non-eligible ones. Secondly, it has a drastic effect on the sentiments, morale, and work of the non-participants.
Now, the question arises… What are the solutions to it? Are there any restrictions or laws which can be practiced to avoid favoritism?
Yes, there is a solution. And that is to make rigid anti-nepotism laws, to have a closer look towards the working of different departments. Not only the high authorities and government but also the public together should raise voice against nepotism. It’s said that “A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle. “Therefore, the mouths of 10 people can be shut if they spoke against the powerful ones but not of 10 thousand. Also, it is clearly stated that raising voice does not direct you towards the violent means but the use of technology and non-violent ways to stand for reality.
When it comes to anti-nepotism laws, many countries have briefed them including New Jersey, New York, Mexico, and the United States but on the other hand, some countries still lag behind with no such rules and laws.
Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to take a step to stop this so that the eligible ones get the right opportunities before its late.
