crony
noun — (informal, disapproving)

- a trusted companion or partner in a criminal organization

- a friend, or a person who works for someone in authority, especially one who is willing to give and receive dishonest help

Wiktionary / Cambridge Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

"Crony" originated in the 1660s, as a Cambridge University slang term meaning “a close friend or companion” — probably derived from the Greek word khronios (χρόνιος), meaning "long-lasting," from khronos,  "time” — thus “crony” is “a longtime friend”.

Over time, "crony" has taken on more negative connotations. Today, “cronyism” is often used to refer to friends one rewards with, for example, political favours, irrespective of their qualifications. This is in contrast to a meritocracy, in which appointments are made based on merit.

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THE CHALLENGE OF CRONYISM

Because jobs and resources are allocated based on relationships rather than merit or competence, cronyism hampers innovation and economic development. In politics, it leads to corruption and a lack of trust in government.

Being tied to social networks and personal relationships, Cronyism is a challenging to address. Solutions require not only legal and regulatory measures, but also a cultural shift towards transparency, accountability, and fairness. A good thing about the digital age, with its increased demand for transparency, is that it’s possible for ordinary citizens to hold those in power accountable, making the fight against cronyism more feasible than ever before.

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SYNONYMS

accessory, accomplice, affiliate, ally, amigo, associate, auxiliary, bedfellow, best buddy, bosom buddy (friend), buddy, co-conspirator, collaborator, colluder, compadre, confederate, CRONY, fellow traveler (worker), henchman, intimate, main man, partner (in crime), right-hand man/woman, second, sidekick, wingman

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“Seeing CRONIES receiving favours, people lose confidence in their institutions."

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