kakocracy

English

Alternative forms

• cacocracy

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κακός (kakós, “bad”) +‎ -cracy.

Noun

kakocracy (usually uncountable, plural kakocracies)

1. (dated, uncommon) Rule or government by the worst of the people.
   • 1845, “Topics of the Day,”, in The Spectator, volume 18, page 205:

     [T]he degrading sentiments of the mere rabble are unblushingly avowed in their Legislature. The constitution of the United States seems on the eve of changing from a democracy—for demos elevates the whole people—to a kakocracy.

   • 1890, Rev. J. C. Fernald, “Perils of the City,”, in Statesman, volume 7, page 241:

     In other words, we have developed a kakocracy, or government by the worst.

Related terms

• kakocrat
• kakistocracy