In the Romanian administration of Nicolae Ceausescu, as many as 50 of his relatives worked in government, including three brothers and a son who were ministers, and his wife, who was his deputy. It is reported that in China family members of top government leaders play a leading role in the Chinese military-industrial complex, and notably in the arms production industry. Consequently, the West's arms-control debates with China represent the confrontation of international law with national and political family ties.
One of the Commissioners in the European Commission which resigned wholesale in 1999 under charges of corruption, hired as her well-paid but unqualified "scientific visitor" a friend with whom she shared an address.
Directors of United Nations bodies have frequently been accused of putting personal or national politics ahead of international welfare.
2. Nepotism, which operates on bloodline rather than merit, does not necessarily provide governments with the best candidates but, in a climate of distrust, animosity, backbiting, and disloyalty, it may well be safer and even more efficient for leaders to have family members in key administrative positions.