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kakistocracy
[ kak-uh-stok-ruh-see ]
noun
- government by the worst persons; a form of government in which the worst persons are in power.
Other 51Թs From
- 첹·쾱·ٴ··· [k, uh, -kis-t, uh, -, krat, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of kakistocracy1
Example Sentences
The Economist decided upon “kakistocracy” as its 2024 51Թ of the Year.
To admit that America has fully become a pathocracy and kakistocracy under Trump would lead to profound cognitive dissonance.
In all, the Age of Trump is the apotheosis of a plutocratic, white supremacist kakistocracy.
Trump presides over a plutocratic, corrupt, cruel, authoritarian, pathological kakistocracy.
Donald Trump is the leader of the American kakistocracy — a term that means rule by the stupid, ignorant, lazy and profoundly incompetent.
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More About Kakistocracy
What doeskakistocracy mean?
A kakistocracy is a government in which the worst people are in charge.
This obscure word is used in political commentary, especially to call out a government considered corrupt or incompetent.
Example: If you don’t vote, you’re basically asking for a kakistocracy, because of course the worst people want to be in power.
Where doeskakistocracy come from?
You probably know that the Greek root -cracy refers to “government” or “rule” because of the -cracies you’ve heard of: democracy, aristocracy, bureaucracy. But kakistocracy? The first part of the word comes from the Greek á쾱ٴ(s), meaning “worst.” So kakistocracy means “government by the worst.”
The earliest known use of the word was in the 1600s by Paul Gosnold, a loyalist to King Charles I during the English Civil War. He gave a speech to Parliament warning of what could happen if the monarchy descended into kakistocracy (the king’s buddies always say that). Nearly 200 years later, in 1829, English novelist Thomas Love Peacock used the word in his book The Misfortunes of Elphin. Today, the word is mainly used in political commentary criticizing corrupt governments. It often shows up alongside other negative terms for forms of government, like plutocracy (rule by the rich) and oligarchy (rule by a powerful few).
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms of kakistocracy?
- kakistocratical
What are some words similar to kakistocracy?
What are some words that share a root or word element with kakistocracy?
What are some words that often get used in discussing kakistocracy?
How is kakistocracy used in real life?
Kakistocracy is rarely used, but when it does come up, it’s used primarily in political rhetoric.
Your kakistocracy is collapsing after its lamentable journey. As the greatest Nation history has known, we have the opportunity to emerge from this nightmare stronger & more committed to ensuring a better life for all Americans, including those you have so tragically deceived.
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan)
Look up the definition of "kakistocracy" today, my fellow Americans. Things will make much more sense.
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid)
Australia. Another Kakistocracy.
— Graham Johns (@GrahamDJohns)
Try usingkakistocracy!
Which of the following words best describes rulers in a kakistocracy?
A. Corrupt
B. Incompetent
C. Greedy
D. All of the above
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