technocracy

American  

[tek-nok-ruh-see] / tɛkˈnɒk rə si /

noun

plural

technocracies

1. a theory and movement, prominent about 1932, advocating control of industrial resources, reform of financial institutions, and reorganization of the social system, based on the findings of technologists and engineers.

2. a system of government in which this theory is applied.

3. any application of this theory.

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technocracy British  

/ ˈtɛknəˌkræt, tɛkˈnɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. a theory or system of society according to which government is controlled by scientists, engineers, and other experts

2. a body of such experts

3. a state considered to be governed or organized according to these principles

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technocracy ¹ Cultural  

1. The control of government and society by people with technical skills, especially engineers.

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technocracy ² Cultural  

1. A type of society marked by the dominant role of people with specialized technical skills, particularly engineers.

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Other Word Forms

• technocrat noun
• technocratic adjective

Etymology

Origin of technocracy

First recorded in 1919; techno- + -cracy

Example Sentences

Even before Labour's law change, the then-director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson, argued that we should be "highly cautious" about moving towards what he described as a "more powerful fiscal technocracy".

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

However, the technocracy movement dates back to the 1930s, when it won thousands of followers and adopted some unnerving authoritarian hallmarks, such as its adherents dressing similarly and greeting each other with a specific salute.

From Salon • Aug. 31, 2025

Much of Muskism is descended from the technocracy movement that flourished in North America in the 1930s and that had as a leader Mr. Musk’s grandfather Joshua N. Haldeman, an ardent anti-communist.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2021

This combination of ideology and technocracy is what has made the business school into such an effective, and dangerous, institution.

From The Guardian • Apr. 27, 2018

Unreflected celebration of technocracy as the sole agent of change must be treated with the same suspicion as its demonization.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai