POLITICAL PATRONAGE AND NEPOTISM IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

AUTHOR – ESAKKIAPPAN .K & INDUSHA .K.R, SCHOLAR FROM THE TAMILNADU DR AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY (SOEL).

BEST CITATION – ESAKKIAPPAN .K & INDUSHA .K.R, POLITICAL PATRONAGE AND NEPOTISM IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 4 (3) OF 2024, PG. 255-261, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT:

This article shows how political patronage and nepotism influence public administration, leading to inefficiency, corruption, and a loss of public trust. It is developed from historical examples such as the Roman Empire and medieval Europe through to modern-day India and the U.S. to determine how favoritism in appointments leads to inefficiency in governance. It underlines that political loyalty more than merit oft dictated the key appointments in government institutions at a cost dearly paid for policy execution and public service. The article is calling for reforms in the direction of meritocracy, openness, and accountability in public administration towards substituting institutional safeguards with judicial oversight and intra-party democracy to bypass nepotism as well as political interference. Concluding with this scope, the article finally concludes that a shift toward a merit-based system would strengthen governance and rebuild public confidence.