Yesterday I heard something I thought was pretty outrageous. ‘Nepotism’ is what I thought when a friend described to me a very recent event where a member of an elected board tried to have her daughter appointed as a paid member to the same board. Her reasons are really irrelevant here as there is no provisions for appointments to be made regardless of their worth. It is significant that an attempt was made.

I thought I would check out the definition of nepotism: The Oxford dictionary says-
‘Undue favour from holder of patronage to relatives’. It is derived from the days when the Pope gave favours and positions to his illegitimate sons – called nephews – from the  Latin nepotismo, nephew.

Wikipedia says pretty much the same; Nepotism is favouritism granted to relatives regardless of merit.

While it could be argued the concept may be acceptable in business, it is never acceptable in government – local or central.

Political systems have been full of the practice – over different times and eras, in all countries, in all political colours. Politicians have given jobs to their friends and families everywhere. It is the way dynasties are founded, the way power and wealth are controlled and encapsulated within the confines of the family. It is an evil which democracy should be without. It does enormous harm to that institution, creates divisions and inequalities. It prevents the cross-fertilisation of ideas and ensures the policy, ideas, ideals and errors of just the few. It is the antithesis of good government.

In recent times the Kennedy family did it when John was elected president and gave jobs in senior positions to his brothers who were then unelected. It may be that his lawyer brother Robert was best person to be appointed Attorney General and his brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, the best person to be the first Director of the Peace Corps. But I doubt it. The Kennedy’s nepotism was minor when compared with Ulysses S. Grant who appointed around 30 family members or relatives to government appointments or employment where they prospered financially. Thank you very much.

The Rumanians, with Nicolae Ceaușescu filled the top posts in the country and the ruling Party with his siblings, nephews, nieces, and in-laws, as well as giving increasing power to his wife.

It horrifies me that a blatant grab for power and influence occurred here in Otaki where our own brand of local government has excelled in its management of the affairs of Otaki in an open democratic manner for the benefit of the community. There is nothing good in nepotism and we must eschew it with vigor as it erodes confidence in our governors, denies opportunities to those who generally deserve to be appointed or elected and enriches only a few.