Cronyism

noun (uncountable)

/ˈkrəʊ.ni.ɪ.zəm/

The practice of appointing or favouring close friends and associates to positions of authority or advantage without regard for their qualifications, especially in politics and governance.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A meritocratic civil service insulated from political cronyism is the surest guarantee that public office will be treated as a trust rather than as patronage to be distributed among loyalists.

Synonyms

favouritismnepotismpatronagepartialityjobberyclientelism

Antonyms

meritocracyimpartialityfairnesseven-handedness

🌱 Word Family

crony (n), cronies (n pl), cronyish (adj)

🔡 Root

Coined/Modern: crony (friend/pal, 17th-c. slang, possibly Greek khronios = long-standing) + -ism = practice

📜 Etymology

From crony ("close friend") + -ism; the word crony originally meant "friend" or "pal," and cronyism initially meant "friendship" in the 19th century before acquiring its negative political connotation in 20th-century American English.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think "CRONY" = an old chum given a plum job; CHRONO (Greek khronos, time) reminds you a crony is a long-time pal rewarded not for ability but for loyalty.

🧭 Ethics & Integrity 📖 Seen in: Ethics in Public Administration — Prob...

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