Kakistocracy
/ˌkækɪˈstɒkrəsi/noun
A government run by the least qualified or most corrupt people.
Did you know?Kakistocracy is built from Greek kakistos, the superlative of kakos (“bad, evil”), plus -kratia (“rule”), the same power-root behind democracy and aristocracy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kakos
“bad, base, worthless”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kakistos
“worst, most bad”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-kratia
“rule, power, authority”
17th Century
English
kakistocracy
“rule by the worst men”
Modern English
English
kakistocracy
“government by the least qualified or most corrupt people”
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