Crony originally referred to old established friends who were pleasant company. However, in the 1900s, it began to have more sinister implications as politicians used their friends for government contracts or positions. Cronyism is illegal in many countries, but politicians may still take advantage of it to advance their friends. Cronyism can lead to political instability and is seen as abhorrent by citizens. Politicians benefit from cronyism by building stronger bonds with old friends, creating indebtedness, and surrounding themselves with loyal people. Politicians are careful to avoid accusations of cronyism to maintain their integrity.
Companions are close friends who have a long history with each other. Longtime friends and companions tend to be particularly close to each other, and their relationships are often mutually beneficial. As a result, the meaning of the word “crony” is slightly distorted from its original meaning, and today it is mainly used to refer to cronyism, a type of political corruption that is characterized by doing favors for old friends and longtime comrades.
In the original sense, ‘crony’ appears to have emerged in Cambridge in the 1660s and is believed to derive from the Greek khronos, or ‘time’, the same root behind words such as ‘chronology’ and ‘chronometer’. Originally, cronies were simply old, established friends who were seen as pleasant and pleasant company. In the 1900s, however, the term began to acquire more sinister implications, as politicians organized their friends into lucrative government contracts or positions.
The traditional sense of the word is still retained in some circles, but people more commonly use “fellow” with a sinister slant, suggesting a layer of corruption and nepotism that goes beyond mere friendship. Cronyism is illegal in many countries, as are other forms of corruption, but it can sometimes be difficult to prove, and politicians may choose to take advantage of it to advance their friends up the political hierarchy.
The history of cronyism is, of course, quite ancient and numerous politicians throughout history have been accused of granting favors to their cronies. In some cases, historians have suggested that this form of corruption ultimately led to political instability in some cultures, hastening the fall of governments and empires. Certainly, cronyism is often seen as particularly abhorrent by a nation’s citizens, so cases where politicians are convicted of cronyism can be politically explosive.
For politicians, cronyism has several advantages. First, of course, it cements lasting friendships by building stronger bonds between old friends. People who gain position, power, or contracts through cronyism are also indebted to their cronies, which can be beneficial later on when the politician needs a favor in return. Cronyism also surrounds a politician with people who are loyal to him, which can be politically useful.
Where cronyism is illegal, politicians are generally careful to avoid accusations of cronyism, to ensure they continue to be seen as people with integrity. In some cases, politicians may even attempt to distance themselves from old cronies, especially when they are able to help old friends, to ensure that these friends receive favors fairly, rather than through corrupt means.
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