"You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" philosophy

• Partiality in job appointments
• Favouritism shown to friends and associates
• Getting mates in party at end of day - is money overcoming resistance?
• Playing favorites
• Some partial appointments

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ For one, they say, she is an outsider in an administration where cronyism has created problems. ▪ High unemployment, non-payment of state wages and pensions and official cronyism and corruption will all be election issues. ▪ ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1840, "friendship," from crony + -ism . Meaning "appointment of friends to important positions, regardless of ability" is originally American English, from c.1950.

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Cronyism is the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues, especially in politics and between politicians and supportive organizations. For instance, this includes appointing "cronies" to positions of ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. favoritism to friends without regard for their qualifications, especially by appointing them to political positions.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. favoritism shown to friends and associates (as by appointing them to positions without regard for their qualifications)