Meanings
plural kakocracies · alternative cacocracy
- dateduncommonuncountableusuallyRule or government by the worst of the people.
In other words, we have developed a kakocracy, or government by the worst.
1890, Rev. J. C. Fernald, “Perils of the City,”, in Statesman, volume 7, page 2411 more example
[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.
1845, “Topics of the Day,”, in The Spectator, volume 18, page 205
Origin
- Ancient Greekκακός“bad”
- Englishkakocracy
From Ancient Greek κακός (kakós, “bad”) + -cracy. By surface analysis, kako- + -cracy.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
kakocracy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kakocracy
“kakocracy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kakocracy. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kakocracy,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kakocracy.
Source: kakocracy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.