Discussion»Questions»Life and Society» The Nepotism card is usually used for those who are inept/need to ride on the coattails of others. Why would talented/capable folks need it?
What are the statistical odds that Joe the Plumber Jr. is THE VERY BEST plumber Joe The Plumber Sr. could hire to grow his plumbing business? Almost nil.
Now, it may be true that Joe Jr. is a reasonably competent plumber and The Plumbers' plumbing business may do fine with Papa and Son working together. But the overwhelming likelihood is there are better plumbers out there than Joe Jr. and The Plumber's business would do even better if Papa looked outside of the family to hire Fred McGodofPipes.
Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that at least SOME family members are comparatively incompetent (I don't know the percentage, but it's NOT zero) and end up ruining the businesses their more competent family members built.
Actually, nepotism is (both historically and across cultures) the RULE, not the exception. Think of all the royalty where Fogelburp the 2nd succeeded Fogelburp the First, regardless of junior's competency level.
Our modern meritocratic notions that people should be selected based upon competency is...well, modern.
Jane S 