Nepotism
Etymology
From Italian nepotismo, from nepote ("nephew"), out of Latin nepos ("nephew, grandson"). The word points to a specific scandal: Renaissance popes and prelates who lavished church offices on their "nephews" — often, in fact, their illegitimate sons. From that papal practice it broadened into the general vice of favoring one’s kin.
noun · /NEP-uh-tiz-um/
Favoritism shown to relatives, especially by giving them jobs or advantages regardless of merit.
What it names
It names the pull of kinship inside supposedly impartial institutions, where the family tie quietly overrides the fair contest.
Example
Promoting his daughter over three senior managers was nepotism so blatant the board finally intervened.
Related idea
Cronyism rewards friends and allies; nepotism rewards blood relatives. Both corrupt the merit principle, but cronyism works through the network of friendship while nepotism works through the family tree.