What is cronyism?

 

Definition of 'crony' n informal: A friend/business associate. Often used pejoratively to describe a 'crony' who receives an unfair advantage.

Origin

17th-century British student slang derived from the Greek word chronios, meaning "long-lasting" or "of a long time.

Usage 

The satirical cartoon above by Robert Cruikshank depicts an alleged network of personal connections among those running Guy's Hospital in London in 1830.  

It highlights cronyism (allocating advantages to friends and/or associates who are personally beholden to you).

Pointedly, the subtitle of Cruikshank's cartoon is 'Servility Rewarded'. The notion of cronyism often implies corruption - the exchange of favour for the indulgence of illegality.