old boys' network
Privileged insider circle
An old boys' network is an informal system of social connections among men who attended the same elite schools or belong to the same privileged circles, used to exchange favors, jobs, and opportunities.
The term is usually critical, implying that advancement depends more on personal connections than merit: He got the position through the old boys' network.
- eliteSuperior select group
- upper crustSocial elite class
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- behind closed doorsIn private, unobserved
privilege · connections · alumni · fraternity · Eton · Oxford · Cambridge · private school · boardroom · gentlemen · gentleman's agreement · establishment · exclusion · handshake · club · inner circle · social capital · patronage
- favoritismfavoritism, nepotism, cronyism, partiality, preferential treatment
- inner circlesinner circle, inner ring, inner sanctum, in-group, ingroup
old boys' networkmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based system · level playing field · fair competition · equal opportunity · merit system
old boys' networkopen access
Free public scholarly content
diversity and inclusion · equal access · affirmative action · democratic participation · open door policy
older, oldest, olden, elder, eldest, boys, boyish, boyhood, network