Nepotism
means favoring relatives because of their relationship
rather than because of their abilities.
For
example, if a manager employed or promoted a relative
rather than a more qualified non-relative, that manager
would be guilty of nepotism. Some biologists have
suggested that a tendency towards nepotism is instinctive,
a form of kin selection.
Nepotism
is a common accusation in politics when the relative
of a powerful figure ascends to similar power seemingly
without appropriate qualifications.