Nepotism

We explain what nepotism is, its history and why it violates human rights. Also, various examples.

What is nepotism?

Nepotism is a form of corruption that consists of assigning jobs or granting favors in a work environment to family and friends. In this way, suitability for performance or preparation for a position is not taken into account, but rather emotional closeness and personal loyalties.

It is a practice punishable by law in most democratic countries especially in the public administration, given that there are specific codes that regulate access to work in the State. Nepotism even violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, since in its article 21 it establishes equal opportunities in access to public service, given that this is financed with public money: “Every person has the right of access, in conditions of equality, to the public functions of their country.”

The term nepotism comes from the Italian word nipotewhich in turn derives from the Latin word neposwhich translates as “nephew” or “grandson.” It became popular during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, as there was a tendency among popes of the Catholic Church to assign high ecclesiastical positions (especially those of cardinals) to their relatives. In addition, they granted various titles and lands to the descendants of noble families, since they were influential in the Roman curia.

Already at that time this practice was denounced and fought by Christian groups both in Protestantism, which saw the papacy as a corrupt institution, and within Catholicism. Finally, the pressure was so great that in the 17th century Pope Innocent XII decreed that popes could not grant positions, property or income to their relatives, with the exception of a single appointment to cardinal.

Over time, nepotism became a questioned and even restricted or prohibited practice in many countries. Currently, it is often considered a practice of favoritism or corruption which is monitored, investigated and sanctioned with the aim of avoiding it, especially in politics and public administration.

Examples of nepotism

Some historical examples of nepotism were:

• The Athens of Pisistratus. Pisistratus was a Greek tyrant who ruled Athens during the 6th century BC. C. and assigned public positions in the State to his family and friends to guarantee the preservation of power. After his death in 527 BC. C., he left the position to his two sons, Hippias and Hipparchus, who were overthrown and Athenian democracy was established.
• The Nipote Cardinals. Cardinals from the pope's family or other influential families in Europe in the Middle Ages and early modern times were called “nipotes” or “nepotes.” These rose in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church thanks to papal patronage and not to their theological or religious merits. In fact, some Nipote cardinals were anointed popes. For example, Pope Alexander VI was, at the time, a Nipote cardinal from the Borja family, favored by Pope Callistus III, his uncle. Some of these “nephews” were actually illegitimate children of the respective popes.
• The French Napoleonic Empire. At the beginning of the 19th century, when the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte conquered a good part of Europe, he distributed royal positions among his relatives, to ensure the loyalty of the subject kingdoms. For example, his brother Joseph Bonaparte was named king of Spain and his brother Louis Bonaparte, king of Holland.

References

• Bobbio, N., Matteucci, N. and Pasquino, G. (Dirs.). (2015). Politics Dictionary. 21st century.
• Carocci, S. (2007). Nepotism in the Middle Ages. Popes, cardinals and noble families. Publications of the University of Valencia.
• Lloyd, K.J. (2023). Art, Patronage, and Nepotism in Early Modern Rome. Routledge.
• Ostberg, R. (2024). Nepotism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/