Topic: NEPOTISM

[|BUG| Seven]

I give the wikipedia definition for nepotism:

Nepotism is the showing of favoritism toward relatives, based upon that relationship, rather than on an objective evaluation of ability or suitability. For instance, offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to perform the job, would be considered a form of nepotism. The word nepotism is from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew" or "grandchild".

We have elections in Greece in 3 weeks from now.
The two main candidates are simblings of previous priministers. Actually 2 strong families seem to rule Greece for decades now.
Also many candidates for the greeek parliament are sons and daugthers of established politicians that usually they get elected easily since their fathers make sure they will get the votes needed.

IMHO our current priminister (nephew of one of the most inportant Greek politicians ever) is the most useless priminister ever.
And his opponent, leader of the other main greek party, who is the son of another very important greek politician is a rather average personality.
Average politicians that exist and rule us based on the power of their name and the power mechanism their ancestors had been creating for years.

In USA things are not different nowdays, right? Bush jr is the son of an ex president. And Hilary who seems the big favourite for the next president, is the wife of an ex president.
I guess the Kennedies also fit in this category.

I despite nepotism. Its like having monarchy with descendants in power. I think its a plague, at least for the greek politic stage. It creates "royal courts" that care more to protect their interests than the interest of the people. 


what are your thoughs?

S.

[Woundwort]

America is nothing like Greece.  Yes, some have been related but that is meaningless over the years.

No Nepotism here except for a few random occasions.

[|BUG| Shamu]

Nepotism usually applies to appointed positions not always based on merit but on family connection

In the case of the Kennedy's, Clinton's and Bush's most is based on a public election to include primaries.

Robert Kennedy was appointed by JFK as Attorney General and that might be considered nepotism.

The rest come down to money and political connections. Political favors are more common in our government than nepotism.

[|BUG| K-Man]

Hillary's appointment to the HealthCare Task Force in 1993 comes to mind. Political appointments based on direct family connections are pretty unusual in my memory here in the states. But I'm sure it happens here and in other countries upon occasion.
Of course, appointments based on political or personal relationship over time almost must be an expected part of the process. How can a head of state appoint people to positions of power (e.g. Cabinent posts) if there is not a level of trust? To my thinking, there must be some level of relationship to warrant trust.

Nepotism? Ugh. Appointments based on past relationship AND capability of the person - sounds fine to me.

It's interesting the subject of nepotism has arisen here. In my work, I am in the same department as my father and oldest brother. I've wondered about this as a possible case of nepotism, but realized that at no time have any one of us been in a position to make decisions regarding any of the other's career or position. Therefore, we each maintain employment based on our own merits.
The interesting thing is there is another father-son-son trio in our department, but slightly different. The father is the President of the department. With that in context, I can't help but wonder about some of the decisions that have been made in the past.
I guess nepotism can be expected in some level with family owned businesses located in a less urban area. I'm just not sure if I've hit the glass ceiling yet.

[|BUG| Medic]

Greece:

Area- 131,940 sq km. ("slightly smaller than Alabama " as quoted by the CIA Factbook)
Population -10,706,290 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure-0-14 years: 14.3% (male 789,637/female 742,535)
                   15-64 years: 66.7% (male 3,565,237/female 3,570,630)
                   65 years and over: 19% (male 895,384/female 1,142,867) (2007 est.)
Manpower available for military service-males age 18-49: 2,459,988
                                                    females age 18-49: 2,442,818

In doing the math....subtracting those qualified for military service and not being of age to take office, allowing for differences in education, common sense, political saavy.... etc. There are probably only about a dozen people who are left to be in office and the odds of those people being related are statistically high....

I say we start our own political campaign to get Seven elected to parliament!! 

[|BUG| Shamu]

I say we start our own political campaign to get Seven elected to parliament!! 

Seven certainly has her political agenda........I am just not yet sure of which party

[|BUG| Desert Eagle]

And I though Neoptism..had something to do with some kinky sex...

[|BUG| Medic]

Watch talking about kinky sex in front of Seven..... next thing you know, she'll be picturing you in her underwear..... 

Well, not IN her underwear..... more wearing her underwear....

[|BUG| Didit_1]

America is nothing like Greece.  Yes, some have been related but that is meaningless over the years.

No Nepotism here except for a few random occasions.

These few random occaisions have proven to be deadly or close to it.
Robert Kennedy...assassinated.
Ted Kennedy...numerous death threats
Hilary Clinton...was she even qualified to be elected as a senator? Lord help us if she ascends to a higher position of power!
Yes...random occurences...but at what cost. It only takes one rotten apple to spoil the rest of the fruit.

[|BUG| Shamu]

These few random occaisions have proven to be deadly or close to it.
Robert Kennedy...assassinated.
Ted Kennedy...numerous death threats
Hilary Clinton...was she even qualified to be elected as a senator? Lord help us if she ascends to a higher position of power!
Yes...random occurences...but at what cost. It only takes one rotten apple to spoil the rest of the fruit.

Only thing is only Robert Kennedy could be considered nepotism because he filled an appointed position.

The others were elected. Money probably had more to do with their success than anything.

How Ted Kennedy continues to survive in political office is beyond me.

And how Hilary gets elected in New York is unusual. Has to be some weird twist to residency requirements if there are even any at all.