Good ol' boy network

In the southern United States, the good ol' boy network refers to informal social, religious, business, and political associations among white Southern men (the "good ol' boys"). In most rural areas of the South and even in many large cities, the good ol' boy network still exerts considerable influence over many aspects of business and law enforcement.

The term refers broadly to a highly decentralized social phenomenon rather than to any organized group or groups; there is no central structure or organization. The good ol' boy network manifests in institutions such as conservative white Protestant churches and the local bar. Effects of the network include ensuring that the white members of a community can limit business transactions to only other whites, to give white clients better deals, and generally to enforce traditional white conservative dominance over any other elements in the society.

See also

• Old boy network