Customer Reviews

In Praise of Nepotism: A Natural History

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I enjoy reading the book. The author writes in an engaging way and has a good grasp of the biological foundation of nepotism. The definition of nepotism can be slightly confusing. Nepotism in a broad sense refers to favoritism for relatives (genetic AND marital) and can be narrowly defined as favoritism for genetic relatives. The author, however, expands nepotism to refer to favoritism for non-relative friends as well, which is normally used and interpreted under a very different scenario (reciprocal altruism). So, one has to pay attention to the author's broadened definition.

I understand that it's part of human nature that most of us would do favors to our relatives. So, as the author cogently argues, the complete elimination of nepotism would result in a world without humanness. The author tries to find a fine line between "good" nepotism and "bad" nepotism, but readers are left wondering where the demarcation is. In fact, this is not a solution at all because, as long as nepotism is allowed, it will be abused, as history has shown repeatedly. Nepotism in the government is particularly damaging to a democratic society, because, practically, it diverges taxpayers' money to serving the relatives and cronies of people in power, and, morally, it sustains the injustice that people are born unequal. Hence, nepotism is exactly the evil we want to fight against in the government. Some would argue that nepotism, if used appropriately, would promote loyalty, trust, and thus working efficiency. This is a wrong argument. A democratic government is built for fairness; it is not meant for efficiency. Military systems are built for efficiency, but never has there any that is democratic. Even if there are "successful" cases of governmental nepotism in the US history, as the author highlights in the book, one may wonder whether there were nobody else in the nation who could have done an equally good or even better job when given the opportunties to serve.

Although nepotism may be allowable or even desirable in other situations for weaving together a harmonious family or society, it should nevertheless be absolutely avoided in the government. To do so, there are two solutions I can think of. One is to introduce an explicit policy for government officials to avoid nepotism as the US government has been doing, and the other is to establish a punitive system that can hold those who egregiously promote their own relatives or friends accountable for any bad consequence of their nepotism. The removal of nepotism will make our government one step closer toward the ideal of a government of, for, and by the people. The removal of nepotism in the government will also promote justice to advance our society to be truly meritocratic.

The historical sections which make up the bulk of the book are very good. The author does a fine job of describing the biological imperatives of nepotism, classical nepotism, colonial nepotism, etc. Those chapters detailing the successes and failures of different practitioners of nepotism through the ages are fascinating to read.

The specifically American version of modern nepotism is described by Bellow as being forgiving toward nepotism for providing entrée into social, employment and power positions so long as the beneficiary subsequently proves themselves by merit. Family fumblers are appropriately punished in the author's view and family dynasties which fail the individual/generational meritocracy test do indeed go "from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations".

The conclusion seemed like a cheap eraser jammed onto the end of an expensive mechanical pencil. It appears to have been cobbled together in a hurry and does not read like carefully reasoned inferences drawn from the historical sections of the book. The conclusion provides prescriptive attitudes regarding nepotism in modern society and this is by far the weakest part of the book.

The irony of writing about nepotism as the son of a famous author is not lost on Bellow. This book will be a boon to nephew-hiring dynasts everywhere.

I bought this book on the strength of the Booknotes interview of author Bellow. I mean: how can you possibly end up praising nepotism? What's he got to say about it? The historical material is fascinating in the way that Bellow can show a different side or point-of-view for some famous (and some less famous) historical figures and how nepotism played into their successes (or failures). Less convincing is the set of conclusions he makes from his research. But I still enjoyed the book pretty well. It'll make a good paperback someday.

Adam Bellow can't be denied the right to take his own stance on social and historical matters. Certainly not when he is so well placed in the publishing industry. If only all interested laypersons had the connections needed to get their theorizing into print.
And a layperson he is. There is nothing in point of research or development of ideas that is not thoroughly amateurish. The writing quality is such as one would expect from an indifferent English major, tolerable for ten or twenty pages and no more. Why could these inchoate ruminations not be imparted to friends and family in a restaurant or barroom, if they cared to listen?
I must confess that a great fondness for his late father led me to purchase this work. I suppose I deserve what I got.

Adam Bellow is a perfect example of everything that is wrong with nepotism. His writing is terrible, yet he got a book deal over hundreds of stuggling authors out there. Go Figure.

Bellow's book is a fascinating read; partially because the subject is infuriatingly destructive to any business and partially because Bellow managed to trade on his father's name to get it published. It doesn't mean that I respect Jaimie Wyath or Arlo Guthrie any less -they've cut their own paths successfully with skill and self-reliance.

Listen: Nepotism is handing the reigns to family, buddies and cronies. Integrity is when nepotism gets avoided, which is what you may want to do here, unless you need a reason to boil over.

It has been said that some things are so common that no one ever bothers to notice it. One of these things is probably nepotism; the topic of this book. Adam Bellow, son of the famous author Saul, looks at the practice, both accepted and expected, over the centuries in multiple societies. Through it all, the author argues the point that nepotism is one of the primary forces that holds societies together; and should not be looked down upon as it commonly is. The book also shows that the US is quite exceptional in its dedication to remove nepotism from public and business life. All in all, a great book to read.

I found this book in the bargain bin for $1.00. Think the little rich kid will give me my dollar back? I sure want it. To bad "Daddy" can't buy him talent!

This is an outstanding study of a highly interesting subject. Before reading this I had a sense of nepotism playing a part in the world, but now I have a far stronger sense of how real this phenomenom is even today. One only has to take a look at present day popular culture to see the scions of the famous becoming all out of proportion to the average, famous themselves. Bellow provides an excellent historical analysis of nepotism in different periods and among different kinds of population. There is a strong suggestion that nepotism is a universal of human life and culture, given the fact that parents often care more about their children than they do about anything else in the world.
However one important point Bellow repeatedly makes is that ' being a close relative is not alone enough'. If one lacks the talent and ability then in time one loses the power and place.
I myself take a special interest in the passing of spiritual legacies generation to generation, and dynasties of great 'minds'. One interesting point which does not particularly relate to this book. None of the great philosopher as far as I know has a child who is a great philosophers. But in the world of Jewish spiritual life, and Torah learning, there are great dynasties like for instance the Soloveitchik family. Here the heritage and the education within the family are crucial. A parallel might be made in the world of music with the Bach family, with their one overwhelming genius, their two top flight composers and their hundreds of musicians through many generations.
This book should be of interest to everyone who cares about people, and about the way the world works. It is an outstanding study.

Bellow's "Nepotism" casts a new light on family preferences. Most will simply judge nepotism to be an evil of sorts, an unethical practice that injures others who are more qualified. While there is some validity to this opinion, it ignores Part I of Bellow's book and his main argument that nepotism has occurred throughout history with beneficial results. In Part II, Bellow focuses on nepotism in the USA from settlement to the country's founding and to the present day with a discussion on nepotism in the arts, business, and politics.

Bellow takes a subject that often produces an automatically negative reaction and clarifies the air a bit with facts and rational arguments. While nepotism can be harmful, Bellows shows that it can (and has) produced much good for humanity for centuries.