Cronyism is the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues, especially in politics and between politicians and supportive organizations. For instance, this includes appointing "cronies" to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.
Cronyism exists when the appointer and the beneficiary such as an appointee are in social or business contact. Often, the appointer needs support in their own proposal, job or position of authority, and for this reason the appointer appoints individuals who will not try to weaken their proposals, vote against issues, or express views contrary to those of the appointer.
Politically, "cronyism" is derogatorily used to imply buying and selling favors, such as: votes in legislative bodies, as doing favors to organizations, giving desirable ambassadorships to exotic places, etc. Whereas cronyism refers to partiality to a partner or friend, nepotism is the granting of favour to relatives.
Etymology
The word "crony" first appeared in 17th-century London, according to the Oxford English Dictionary and is believed to be derived from the Greek word chronios (χρόνιος), meaning "long term".
A less likely but oft-quoted source is the supposed Irish term Comh-Roghna, which translates as "close pals", or mutual friends.
Concept
Government officials are particularly susceptible to accusations of cronyism, as they spend taxpayers' money. Many democratic governments are encouraged to practice administrative transparency in accounting and contracting, however, there often is no clear delineation of when an appointment to government office is "cronyism".
In the private sector, cronyism exists in organizations, often termed "the old boys' club" or "the golden circle", again the boundary between cronyism and "networking" is difficult to delineate.
It is not unusual for a politician to surround him- or herself
with highly qualified subordinates, and to develop social, business, or
political friendships leading to the appointment to office of friends,
likewise in granting government contracts. In fact, the counsel of such
friends is why the officeholder successfully obtained their powerful
position; therefore, cronyism usually is easier to perceive than to
demonstrate and prove.
Politicians with representatives of business, other special interests,
as unions and professional organizations get "crony-business" done in
political agreements, especially by "reasonable" and lucrative
honorariums to the politician for making speeches, or by legal donations
to ones election campaign or to ones political party, etc.
Cronyism describes relationships existing among mutual
acquaintances in private organizations where business, business
information, and social interaction are exchanged among influential
personnel. This is termed crony capitalism, and is an ethical breach of the principles of the market economy; in advanced economies, crony capitalism is a breach of market regulations.
Given crony capitalism's nature, these dishonest business
practices are frequently (yet not exclusively) found in societies with
ineffective legal systems. Consequently, there is an impetus upon the
legislative branch of a government to ensure enforcement of the legal
code capable of addressing and redressing private party manipulation of
the economy by the involved businessmen and their government cronies.
The economic and social costs of cronyism are paid by society.
Those costs are in the form of reduced business opportunity for the
majority of the population, reduced competition in the market place,
inflated consumer goods prices, decreased economic performance,
inefficient business investment cycles, reduced motivation in affected
organizations, and the diminution of economically productive activity. A practical cost of cronyism manifests in the poor workmanship of public and private community projects.
Cronyism is self-perpetuating; cronyism then begets a culture of
cronyism. This can only be apprehended by a comprehensive, effective,
and enforced legal code, with empowered government agencies which can
effect prosecutions in the courts.
Some instances of cronyism are readily transparent. As to others,
it is only in hindsight that the qualifications of the alleged "crony"
must be evaluated. All appointments that are suspected of being cronyism
are controversial. The appointed party may choose to either suppress
disquiet or ignore it, depending upon the society's level of freedom of
expression and individual personal liberty.
Examples
A recent example can be found in political activity in South Carolina, particularly in relation to Governor Henry McMaster, who initially gained his position after becoming the first high-level state official to endorse current President Donald Trump and subsequently rose from lieutenant governor to governor of the state when President Trump appointed Nikki Haley to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations in November 2016. On July 9, 2019, Governor McMaster would then go on to attempt to force a vote for the President of the University of South Carolina ahead of schedule and for the benefit of his favorite candidate, Robert Caslen Jr., former superintendent of West Point Academy
who was favored by President Trump and previously interviewed by the
Trump administration for the position of National Security Advisor.
Less than two weeks later, in spite of protestation from a majority of
the student body, alumni, and major donors, the vote was cast in favor
of Caslen on July 19, 2019.
The Russian president Vladimir Putin is alleged to be the "head of the clan", whose assets are estimated at $200 billion.
A list of Russian and Ukrainian politicians associated with
"kleptocractic style" has been published by the Kleptocracy Archives
project.
U.S. President Donald Trump
assigned at least five members of his private golf clubs to choice
government jobs such as ambassadorships. This is the first time in
modern history that a president has rewarded people with jobs that paid
money to his own companies.
