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kakistocracy
/kækɪˈstɒkrəsi/
government by the least qualified citizens
Critics argue that the nation had descended into a kakistocracy under the inept leadership of its corrupt officials.
The example shows how the word describes a government run by incompetent or corrupt leaders.
formal
A system of government in which the least qualified or most unscrupulous citizens hold public office and exercise power.
The political commentator warned that prolonged economic decline could lead to a kakistocracy where unqualified leaders make reckless decisions.
This illustrates how the term is used to describe a dangerous shift in governance due to poor leadership.
Historical records suggest that periods of kakistocracy often coincide with widespread public disillusionment and institutional collapse.
This shows the term's application in analyzing historical governance failures.
The word is often used critically to highlight incompetence or corruption in leadership, rather than merely describing a lack of expertise.
Collocations
rule by kakistocracygovernment characterized by incompetent or corrupt leadersdescend into kakistocracyto deteriorate into a state of governance by the unqualified
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid Overuse
Since 'kakistocracy' is a strong and rarely used term, reserve it for situations where incompetence or corruption is extreme and systemic, not for minor governance issues.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Use 'kakistocracy' only when referring to a systemic failure of governance, not individual poor decisions. It implies a pattern of unqualified leadership.
Word Origin
From Greek *kakistos* (κάκιστος, 'worst') + *-cracy* (κράτος, 'power, rule'). Coined in the 17th century, popularized by English writer Thomas Love Peacock in the 19th century.
Usage Notes
The term is rare in everyday speech but appears in political commentary, academic writing, and satire. It is often used hyperbolically to criticize contemporary leaders or systems.
Word Breakdown
kakistos
worst (Greek superlative of kakos, 'bad')
root-cracy
rule by (from Greek kratos, 'power')
suffixEnglish Dictionary