patronage
pa.tron.age \'pa-tr*-nij, 'pa--\ n 1: ADVOWSON 2: the support or influence of a patron 3: kindness done with an air of superiority 4: the trade of customers 5a: the power to make appointments to government jobs on a basis other than merit alone 5b: the distribution of jobs on this basis 5c: the jobs so distributed