Good ol' boy network
Encyclopedia
Good ol' boy network, or "Good old boys", describes a system of social network
ing/cronyism
perceived to exist among communities and social strata. These networks are perceived to be located throughout the world. It is sometimes taken to refer to informal legal, judicial, social, religious, business, and political associations among members, ("good ol' boy
s").
Some negative effects of the good ol' boy network are its exclusion of others, leading to leaders of a community possibly limiting business transactions to other elites, or to friends or acquaintances from within the network, to give friends better deals, and generally to reinforce traditional power structures over any other elements in the society.
For example, economic geographer, Richard Florida
, has several publications (2004, 2008) pointing out the concept of 'good old boys network', in contrast to more diverse and larger places, where creative work is allowed.
While the Good ol' boy system has a greater potential to place those who are incompetent,, less experienced, or less qualified, it can also be a quicker way of getting something done.
It is sometimes thought of as being a system which is used by dominant group to keep others out , it is also used by other minorities in any situation where they hold majority sway, or within any homogeneous community to maintain the status quo. Diversity notwithstanding, this type of social construct exists around the world, with various methods of association. Mob
organizations could be seen as the extreme application of just this social construct.
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
ing/cronyism
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
perceived to exist among communities and social strata. These networks are perceived to be located throughout the world. It is sometimes taken to refer to informal legal, judicial, social, religious, business, and political associations among members, ("good ol' boy
Good ol' boy
Good ol' boy is an American slang term that can have both positive and negative meanings, depending on context and usage.The term can be used for well socialized men who live in rural and generally Southern areas. If a man is humble and well thought of, he can be referred to as a "good old boy",...
s").
Some negative effects of the good ol' boy network are its exclusion of others, leading to leaders of a community possibly limiting business transactions to other elites, or to friends or acquaintances from within the network, to give friends better deals, and generally to reinforce traditional power structures over any other elements in the society.
For example, economic geographer, Richard Florida
Richard Florida
Richard Florida is an American urban studies theorist.Richard Florida's focus is on social and economic theory. He is currently a professor and head of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School of Management, at the University of Toronto. He also heads a private consulting firm, the...
, has several publications (2004, 2008) pointing out the concept of 'good old boys network', in contrast to more diverse and larger places, where creative work is allowed.
While the Good ol' boy system has a greater potential to place those who are incompetent,, less experienced, or less qualified, it can also be a quicker way of getting something done.
It is sometimes thought of as being a system which is used by dominant group to keep others out , it is also used by other minorities in any situation where they hold majority sway, or within any homogeneous community to maintain the status quo. Diversity notwithstanding, this type of social construct exists around the world, with various methods of association. Mob
MOB
Mob may refer to:* A crowd Mob may refer to:* A crowd Mob may refer to:* A crowd (of people, from Latin mobile vulgus "fickle commoners":*An angry mob; see Ochlocracy*A criminal gang*In American English, organized crime; slang for Mafia or American Mafia*Mobbing, human bullying behaviour...
organizations could be seen as the extreme application of just this social construct.
See also
- Old boy networkOld boy networkAn old boy network, or society, can refer to social and business connections among former pupils of male-only private schools. British public school students were traditionally called "boys", thus graduated students are "old boys"....
- CronyismCronyismCronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
- Inclusion and exclusionSocial exclusionSocial exclusion is a concept used in many parts of the world to characterise contemporary forms of social disadvantage. Dr. Lynn Todman, director of the Institute on Social Exclusion at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, suggests that social exclusion refers to processes in which...
- Collective narcissismCollective narcissismCollective narcissism is a type of narcissism where an individual has an inflated self-love of his or her own ingroup, where an “ingroup” is a group in which an individual is personally involved...
- In-group bias