old boys club
Exclusive male clique
An old boys club is an informal network of men—typically white, wealthy, and from similar backgrounds—who use personal connections to help each other professionally and socially.
The term criticizes how power circulates through exclusive relationships rather than merit: The board is an old boys club that promotes from within.
Sometimes old boys' club or old-boy network.
- networkInterconnected system
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- eliteSuperior select group
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- old moneyLong-established family fortune
nepotism · fraternity · school tie · cronyism · exclusion · secret handshake · handshake · golf · boardroom · corner office · ties · alumni · connections · insider · gentleman · ivy · establishment · clique
- elite networksinner circle, inner circles, cronyism, nepotism, favoritism
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism
- social illsracism, sexism, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination
- influence peddlinginfluence peddling, backscratching, quid pro quo, kickbacks, payoffs
- groupsteam, teams, group, gang, gangs
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
old boys clubopen door policy
Unrestricted visitor welcome stance
big tent · level playing field · public forum · inclusive workplace · equal opportunity
old boys clubmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based system · equal opportunity · fair competition · blind hiring · competitive examination
old boys clubdemocracy
Rule by the people
flat hierarchy · worker cooperative · town hall · open forum · representative body
oldest, oldster, boys, boyish, boyhood, club, clubs, clubbed, clubbing