Nepotism can occur when someone accesses a public position because of their closeness to an official and not because of their ability.
Nepotism is known as the exaggerated predilection that some active officials who hold public positions have regarding their family , relatives and friends when making concessions or hiring state employees. In these cases, the individual who accesses a public job achieves the objective due to his closeness and loyalty to the ruler or official in question, and not due to his own merit or ability.
In States where meritocracy prevails (a system for which merit justifies promotion within the framework of a hierarchical ladder), nepotism is considered an act of corruption . It is not accepted, at a social level, that a political leader decides to allocate public resources to a family member or friend for reasons of sympathy or affection.
For example: The mayor of a town appoints his brother as the head of the Employment Secretariat. If the person chosen demonstrates sufficient merit for the position (professional training, background, etc.), nepotism will only be a suspicion. On the other hand, if the mayor's brother has no political or professional career, the case of nepotism would be confirmed.
History of nepotism
Nepotism has an ancient history. The concept is believed to derive from the ancient Greek nepos (translated into Spanish as "nephew" ) or from the Roman emperor Julius Nepos . In Roman times, in fact, there was a very famous case of nepotism, when Pompey gave important responsibilities to his son-in-law Metellus Scipio (of no capacity in the military field) and he was denounced by Mark Antony before the Senate .
As we say, throughout history there have been many cases of nepotism. Among them, Pisistratus stands out, who ruled Athens throughout the 6th century BC and did so through tyranny. The fact that he was genuinely afraid that plots and plans were being hatched to end his mandate and his power made him determined to offer the highest political positions to members of his family and friends in whom he had absolute confidence.
Much closer in time, a very notorious case of nepotism took place and it was the one carried out by Napoleon Bonaparte. Thus, what this French leader did was bet on his family to give him certain positions of responsibility and importance. The best known of all of them was the one he gave to his brother José Bonaparte, better known as Pepe Botella for his love of alcohol, to whom he elevated him as king of Spain.
Nepotism is currently considered a form of corruption.
Cases close in time
In recent years we also come across people who have been accused of nepotism. Former Paraguayan president Federico Franco tried to defend himself from the voices that were raised against him by explaining that during his term he placed a total of 27 family members in public positions of great responsibility.
And we should not forget the case that has taken place in Mexico where Josefina Vázquez Mota (leader of the PAN) has been accused of nepotism because her sister (Margarita Silvia) was occupying a position in the Special Prosecutor's Office for Crimes of Violence against women when presumably he does not have the necessary qualifications to have that one.
Nepotism in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church also showed signs of nepotism, especially during the Middle Ages .
The story is known of several bishops who raised illegitimate descendants, presenting them as their "nephews" and showing favoritism towards them, and some Popes have even made their relatives cardinals.