praetorianism

[ pree-tawr-ee-uh-niz-uhm, -tohr- ]

noun

1. the control of a society by force or fraud, especially when exercised through titular officials and by a powerful minority.

Word History and Origins

Origin of praetorianism¹

First recorded in 1865–70; praetorian + -ism

Example Sentences

If an autocracy does not rest on the army, which leads to the chaos of praetorianism, it must rely on 'panem et circenses.'

From Project Gutenberg

The evil fame of the Italian cohorts has survived in the phrase “praetorianism” used to imply a venal military despotism.

From Project Gutenberg