old-boy network
Privileged insider circle
An old-boy network is an informal system of social connections among men who share backgrounds—typically graduates of elite schools or members of exclusive clubs—who help each other professionally through favors, referrals, and insider access.
The term implies that advancement depends more on whom you know than on merit: She didn't get the promotion because the old-boy network favored less qualified candidates.
Though the phrase emerged from British boarding school culture, it describes any entrenched system of mutual back-scratching among privileged insiders.
Close, often questionable associates
- insidersThose with special access
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- alumniFormer school members
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
brotherhood · old guard · establishment · connections · peers · associates · colleagues · confidants
Relationships between things
- introductionsInitial formal presentations
- referralsDirected endorsements elsewhere
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- handshakesMutual palm grips
back channels · gatekeeping · fast track · leg up · inside track · golden ticket · sponsored · vouched for
Exclusive right or benefit
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
- gentryHighborn but not noble
blue blood · plutocracy · oligarchy · bourgeoisie · snobbery · prestige · pedigree · stratification
Preferential treatment of some
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
backscratching · logrolling · collusion · corruption · unfairness · inequity · preferential treatment · insider dealing
cronies
Close, often questionable associates
- insidersThose with special access
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- alumniFormer school members
fraternity · brotherhood · old guard · establishment · connections · peers · associates · colleagues · confidants · comrades
connections
Relationships between things
- introductionsInitial formal presentations
- referralsDirected endorsements elsewhere
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
handshakes · back channels · gatekeeping · fast track · leg up · inside track · golden ticket · sponsored · vouched for
privilege
Exclusive right or benefit
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
gentry · blue blood · plutocracy · oligarchy · bourgeoisie · snobbery · prestige · pedigree · stratification · caste
favoritism
Preferential treatment of some
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
partiality · backscratching · logrolling · collusion · corruption · unfairness · inequity · preferential treatment · insider dealing · quid pro quo
old-boy networkmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based system · level playing field · equal opportunity · merit system · open competition
old-boy networkdiversity and inclusion
Welcoming varied identities together
equal access · open admissions · affirmative action · democratization · egalitarianism
old-boy networkdue process
Guaranteed judicial fairness
accountability · competitive bidding · civil service examination
network, older, oldest, olden, oldish, boyish, boyhood, networks, networking