kakistocracy
Americannoun
Usage
What does kakistocracy 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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of kakistocracy
1820–30; < Greek kákisto ( s ), superlative of kakós bad + -cracy
Explanation
A government run by the least qualified people can be called a kakistocracy. The term kakistocracy first appeared in the 17th century, coined from the Greek kakistos, "worst," and -cracy, "rule by," which is used in words like aristocracy and democracy. It's often used to disparage governments that are seen as inept, corrupt, or both. If a president appointed her close friends and relatives to fill all the most important cabinet jobs, despite their lack of experience, it would be an example of kakistocracy.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A kakistocracy has a broad impact on society.
From Salon • May 24, 2019
During its 450-year history, kakistocracy has mainly been used by conservatives to convey their anxieties about what happens when tradition and order are upended.
From The Guardian • Apr. 18, 2018
Kakistos is Greek for “worse,” so kakistocracy means government by the worst people.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2018
What would it look like to live under a kakistocracy, Greek for “government by the worst men”?
From Slate • Nov. 18, 2016
Thus matters will go on, until universal anarchy, or kakistocracy, the government of the worst, is fully established.
From Cotton is King, and Pro-Slavery Arguments Comprising the Writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartrwright on This Important Subject by Elliott, E. N.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
