noun
1. government by the worst people.
The American poet James Russell Lowell wrote in a letter in 1876: "Is ours a government of the people, by the people, for the people, or a kakistocracy rather, for the benefit of knaves at the cost of fools?"* (Source.)
Synonyms: democracy, government.
*Though this may seem like a veiled attempt to express my opinion on the outcome of the last presidential election, it is nothing of the sort. My view of this term is rather neutral, as the idea of who the worst people are is a subjective one. In 1876, the worst people were crazy, minorities, and women, later sexual "deviants" were included in the mix. Real change in a society usually doesn't happen by following the standard and tested models. Consequently, if you find yourself living in a society that needs a little change, it might be time for a kakistocracy.
No comments:
Post a Comment