epistocracy

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē, knowledge) + suffix -κρατία (-kratía), from κράτος (krátos, power, rule).

Pronunciation

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  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌɛpɪˈstɑkɹəsi/
    • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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epistocracy (countable and uncountable, plural epistocracies)

  1. (uncountable) Rule by citizens with political knowledge, or a proposed political system which concentrates political power in citizens according to their knowledge.
    • 2016, “Can Epistocracy, or knowledge-based voting, fix the problems with democracy?”, in Los Angeles Times:
      So maybe it’s time to consider an alternative to democracy called epistocracy. In a democracy, every citizen gets an equal right to vote. In an epistocracy, voting power is widespread, but votes are weighted: More knowledgeable citizens’ votes count more.
  2. (countable) A government run by citizens with political knowledge.
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