What is an example of nepotism? A) A politician appointing their relative to an important government position, such as a cabinet role or agency head, without the relative having the appropriate expertise B) Hiring more than one person C) Hiring a candidate based on their qualifications D) Working overtime
Answer (1)
Nepotism is a practice where individuals in positions of power favor their relatives or friends when making decisions, particularly in hiring or promoting staff, rather than considering candidates solely based on their qualifications or merit.
In the context of the options provided, the correct example of nepotism would be:
A) A politician appointing their relative to an important government position, such as a cabinet role or agency head, without the relative having the appropriate expertise.
Here's why this is considered nepotism:
Who: A politician with the authority to appoint individuals to government positions.
What: The appointment of a relative (e.g., a family member) to an important government position.
When/Where: This can happen at any level of government—local, national, or international—where the politician has the power to make appointments.
Why: The politician might choose their relative due to personal connections, family pressure, or the desire to keep power within their inner circle rather than based on expertise.
How: By using their influence or authority to ensure that their relative bypasses a fair and competitive selection process.
In contrast, the other options do not represent nepotism:
B) Hiring more than one person refers to increasing the number of employees, which doesn't inherently involve favoritism based on personal connections.
C) Hiring a candidate based on their qualifications is the antithesis of nepotism, as it is based on merit.
D) Working overtime is a work practice and doesn't relate to favoritism in hiring or promotion processes.
